Earlier this week I reported on Barack Obama’s Portland, OR rally where The Decemberists opened the proceeding’s. The rally drew an astonishing record crowd of 75,000 people and was covered everywhere in the media.

Well now, Conservatives are claiming that it wasn’t actually Barack Obama that drew all those people, it was The Decemberists. They contend that the “liberally-biased media” didn’t mention the fact that The Decemberists opened the rally and thats who a lot of people were there to see. Pitchfork Media for once is pretty accurate and successfully refutes these claims.

“Also worth taking into account: the Obama rally announcement doesn’t even bill The Decemberists as such, instead mentioning “special guest” performers Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen.”

“The Campaign Spot post cites a Chicagoist review’s estimate that 10,000 people attended a free Decemberists concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park last year as evidence that the Decemberists can attract large numbers to free events. (The same post also cites Chris Funk’s suggestion that the band may have drawn as many as 20,000 that day– a lovely notion, but bogus: Jay Pritzker Pavilion’s capacity caps at 11,000.) It’s also worth noting that the Chicago Decemberists show in question also featured a symphony orchestra, and the people in that orchestra probably have fans and friends and family too.”

“But hey, let’s play this game anyway: supposing for a moment that the Decemberists really did draw 10,000 of those 75,000 people to Waterfront Park this past Sunday, that leaves 65,000 who came solely to see Obama speak– still a landmark for his campaign. And that, of course, assumes Decemberists fans and Obama supporters are mutually exclusive entities. Um, LOL.”

I for one don’t doubt Obama’s popularity and drawing power and I know that even at a free show its unlikely The Decemberists would draw over 10,000 people especially if not even billed as The Decemberists! Find some real issues people…

Source.

*(The above picture is from yesterday’s rally).

A couple weeks ago I reported on The Arcade Fire and Superchunk playing a Barack Obama rally. Now…much beloved, former indie-rock, now turned major label band The Decemberists played a rally for presidential hopeful Barack Obama yesterday in Portland, Oregon.

A record crowd of 75,000 came out in support of Obama and The Decemberists opened the proceedings.

It’s amazing to see this many people coming out in support of a candidate. It’s also really great to see pretty big bands backing a presidential hopeful. Like I mentioned here before, I’m not usually that into the idea of bands tying themselves too closely with politics, but it definitely is effective in getting their fans at least aware of the process.

There’s almost no question, apparently Obama is THE indie-rock/rock candidate of choice.

Source.