[phlipcam video] Phoenix @ Agganis

The above extreme-stage-right video of Phoenix pretty much perfectly encapsulates Monday's show: loud and dramatic and heavily favoring tracks off Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Based on my shaky recollection, they played every track off their yesteryear breakout, a handful of choice cuts from previous efforts (including "Rally" and "Everything Is Everything"), and an encore where they emerged on top of the soundboard, midfloor, to kickdown a mini acoustic set before returning to the stage to run through the requisite "1901" closer. (Sidenote: The second acoustic song they played was a cover of a beautiful folk-sounding tune in their native French tongue. ID help anyone?) I know it's difficult to ascertain from the mostly instrumental "Love Like a Sunset" video, but Thomas Mars was absolutely on point this night, filling the arena with a voice that impeccably matched his studio output. Also worth noting is the security guard who looks none too happy to be wallowing in the deafening distortion or the constantly billowing smoke cloud adding to the aforementioned dramatic effect.