The single beam of a spotlight illuminates the center of a red sheet stretched across the stage at the Cat’s Cradle.
Suddenly, silver shears poke through the fabric and snip at the threads until they form a heart-shaped hole. Tim DeLaughter crouches behind the sheet, waiting. Finally, he cuts the sheet in half and throws it aside to reveal a band of 23, all donned in black military-style jackets, poised to play every instrument imaginable.
The Polyphonic Spree bursts into song, sending the crowd into a frenzy of bouncing feet and jubilant singing.
It was immediately clear: This concert was not like any I had ever attended. Just the sheer size of the band made for an interesting concert, and every member played a significant role in contributing to the Spree’s sound.
DeLaughter performed from a raised platform in the center of the stage — and he didn’t just sing. He served as conductor to both the band and the crowd, leading with energetic arm pumps reminiscent of a marching band leader.
And while he may have been the center of attention, those playing instruments were also prominent on stage. At stage left, a harpist, three trumpeters and a violinist; center stage, a cellist; and at stage right, a flutist and pianist. There were probably many other instruments that I either didn’t know or couldn’t see because of the mass of people on stage.
The choral singers at the back of the ensemble may well be the group’s most unique aspects. As they sang, they swung their heads round and round, their long hair swinging back and forth. Their energy really added to the performance, but it’s a wonder they don’t scramble their brains with all the head swinging.
The crowd sang along with tracks from the band’s latest album, The Fragile Army, as well as old favorites such as the popular “Hold Me Now” from the 2004 album “Together We’re Heavy. But the recordings just don’t compare with the complexity and spirit of the live show.
The Spree kept things interesting throughout the two-hour set, with intermittent explosions of white paper confetti over the crowd and a costume change halfway through.
As the musicians left the stage and re-emerged in floor-length white robes, shouting “love, love, love!” in unison as DeLaugther waved the red cloth heart triumphantly, I felt as though I had been transported back to the days of hippies and flower children.
It was clear that The Polyphonic Spree loved performing on stage, and the crowd loved The Polyphonic Spree just as much in return.
In an interview Tuesday, DeLaughter said he wasn’t sure how much longer the group would be able to tour. At the conclusion of the show, he encouraged the audience to purchase merchandise, saying he “wouldn’t ask unless we really needed it.”
It would be a shame to see this incredible group end their tour career. If the Spree rolls back through the area, go out and see them. It will be an unforgettable show like none you’ve ever seen — or will ever see again.