I went to hear Okkervil River last night at the Doug Fir and it was a great show. B and I ate at the restaurant before heading heading down to the auditorium space to stake out our spots. It was crowded, but I don't think it was sold out, so we got close enough to the front without feeling too overwhelmed by lots of people. One of my criteria for a great show is the band's charisma and interaction with the audience. The lead singer, Will Sheff, had a nice rapport with the crowd and got some free drinks in the process. The band seemed genuinely happy to be playing and it was great to see all of them singing along with Will.

The Doug Fir, by far, is my favorite place to see a show. It's an intimate setting, yet you never feel far away from the action, even if you're not right up front. The several shows that I've seen there have always started on time, which I appreciate. Another bonus is that it's non-smoking, so I'm not second-hand smoking one pack of cigarettes a month! It's a great venue for live music and I love seeing smaller indie acts there.