Decemberists Plan For Orchestral Tour

BY Stacey SleightholmPublished Apr 30, 2007

Portland-based pop-rockers the Decemberists have announced that they will make their orchestral debut in five cities during their summer tour, "A Bit of Grass-Stain Does Not a Ruined Pair of Jeans Make.” Interspersed by sans-orchestra gigs, the group will be backed by full local orchestras in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Columbia, Md.

The idea came from Johanna Rees who has booked similar shows with Air, Dead Can Dance and Belle and Sebastian.

"I was the liaison between the band and the orchestra folks, because they don't really know how the rock world works," Rees told Billboard.com. "And if you're a fan, it's such a perfect band to put with an orchestra. Musically, they're just astounding."

For the Decemberist’s July 7 show at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (and opening act, Band of Horses), Rees guesses that much of the audience will be made up of curious concertgoers unfamiliar with the band.

"I think people are just interested in seeing a band play with an orchestra, even if they don`t know the band or orchestra that well."

Also announced is the band’s European fall tour, "A Great Smiting of Chavs,” which kicks off in September.

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