[Intro note from The Dominant Allele: Since Pittsburgh traffic was particularly nasty, we arrived at Mr. Small’s Theatre in time for the second act, a _______ outfit known as Make Believe.]

            All but one of the musicians promptly mounted the stage, while lead vocalist  Tim Kinsella appeared a few moments later, blatantly inebriated and restlessly swaying. While the band may have provided a sliver of entertainment for the most open-minded indie fans, the set was better classified as a “comic relief” of sorts. After shouting at spectators to hold the microphone stand, the frontman made an unsuccessful attempt to auction it in order to “pay for it if it breaks and buy a pack of cigarettes, too.”

Near the end of the altogether unimpressive set, he began to sputter “philosophical” nonsense at the crowd, who seemed to find mild amusement in the stooge upon the stage. Make Believe exited quietly, and the sold-out crowd came alive with anticipation for the headliners’ performance.

Following a brief set change, a sprightly Tim Kasher and crew took their respective positions under the limelight as the audience buzzed with excitement.

With each downbeat, it became increasingly obvious that the members of Cursive held a superior standard for showmanship, as they interacted well with the crowd as well as each other, and delivered a quality set to the hollowed-out church full of animated fans. The indie-rock musicianship was certainly polished; the horn section doubled as accessory percussionists, and cellist Gretta Cohn’s talented tour replacement played in a calm, poised manner, pausing only once to pull her hair into a tight bun.

After the set’s conclusion, several spectators’ fervent cries drew the band back onstage for a welcomed encore. Playing a few songs by request, Kasher began to wish his captive audience a fond farewell via “story time.” He explained one particularly humorous circumstance that was another person’s thought process after intoxication: “…Are these my fingers?! What is blood? Do I have blood? I WANT TO SEE MY BLOOD!! SOMEBODY CUT ME!!”