Shows that start a multiple-night run often don't seem as sharp to me as the gigs that come after them - I've always guessed it's a comfort thing - but I'd throw that "rule" out the window with Sufjan Stevens and his current run at the Bowery Ballroom, which wraps up tomorrow. Sufjan and his band (now called the Illinoisemakers) were tight and relaxed when they kicked things off on Friday night, playing a 90+ minute set that drew heavily on Illinois and sounded great from start to finish. The band wasn't particularly adventurous, but they didn't need to be - when your songs have so many parts, just faithfully reproducing them is impressive. Some moments stood out - the drums and guitars playing off each other on "Jacksonville," the "They Are Night Zombies!!" bass groove, the horns on "The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders" - but by and large the performances were all strong.

That said, the show wasn't without its faults. Though I expected lots of Illinois, the band played only two Seven Swans songs and nothing from Greetings From Michigan, ignoring (in my opinion) some of Sufjan's strongest material. The former's "Sister" was one of my favorite songs of the night, especially with a new off-kilter beat that fit in perfectly. I realize they're promoting a new album, but I remember Illinois songs from the tours for the last two albums. More balance would've been nice.

The show played like an Illinois pep rally though, literally - handmade signs behind the stage, cheerleading uniforms for the entire band, and actual cheers (lyrics, choreographed moves, even pom-poms) between songs. It's always refreshing to see a band have fun with its stage show, but by the end of Friday's show it was starting to wear on me. Sufjan is a fantastic songwriter and his live shows have more than enough meat on their own; if the theatrics distract from the music, I think it hurts his cause. This might be why my favorite stretch started with "Sister" but then included - with little fanfare - absolutely beautiful versions of "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." and "Casimir Pulaski Day."

Ultimately these are all minor gripes about a solid show. It'd be a bigger deal if the new songs sucked and the cheers went on for minutes, but they don't and they didn't. And if "Romulus" or "Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head!" get played at any of the other Bowery shows, I will be very jealous.

A quick note on Smoosh, who opened the show. Musically, I thought they were one-sided and unremarkable, memorable only for their age. The girls were so young that I can't really fault them - it's quite possible they'll doing some really interesting things in a few years. I just don't see much reason to pay attention until then.

Check out Flickr for more pictures.