Live Review: Augustines @ 9:30 Club, 10/29/13

Different name, same damn fine band. The band formerly known as We Are Augustines recently claimed the more concise name Augustines, and took to the road with super likeable Scottish band Frightened Rabbit. The DC stop, a doubleheader, was their last night together, and a celebratory atmosphere overtook the 9:30 Club. I took in the second of the two shows, and was pleased as punch, as always, to get to see Augustines live. 

The trio, prepping for the release of their second lp together in early 2014, made sure to pepper their set with some tantalizing new songs. Fraught with the same warmly impassioned, heartfelt glee as the band's first collection of songs, the new material fit right in, and proved rather delightful to the ears. They handled the new songs with the same infectious enthusiasm given to each and every song I've ever seen them play. 

Soon-to-be favorites mixed right in with current favorites like the romp of "Chapel Song," which, under the purpley blue lights, sounded perhaps more magnificent than ever. The plaintive "Juarez" was filled with bittersweetness, Billy McCarthy's voice roughly impeccable as always. They closed with my most favorite of all Augustines songs, the glorious "Book of James," which proved grittier and more rollicking than on record. It was a perfect way to end things, full of jubilation and promise and sheer joy. 

Their set, as blindingly brilliant as it was, had one flaw. It was much too short. Augustines is a band that I could happily take in night after night. For now, I'm (relatively) content with about once a year, especially when the set is as good as this.

  



[photo copyright Megan Petty]