Rather than one of us writing a review, we’re doing something a little different: the conversation review. Your participants are Hannah Serrano, who grew up in Virginia Beach and has been going to the NorVa since she was a teenager, and Jesse, who grew up in a suburb of New York City and can be kind of a snob about it.

Jesse: Where does last night’s show rank among the best shows you’ve ever seen at The NorVa?

Hannah: I’d say it’s in my top five. I really loved Beach House/Grizzly Bear earlier this year, Walkmen/White Rabbits/Spoon last year, The Roots a few years ago (met ?estlove backstage), and a couple others. And had I not seen Phoenix before and had one of the best concert experiences of my life that time (Thomas Mars serenaded me!), I would rank last night as top two.

How does the NorVa now compare to other venues you’ve been to?

Jesse: So I have to admit, it wasn’t love at first sight for The NorVa and I. I had some salty interactions with the staff; I went to a bunch of half-full shows for excellent acts (always demoralizes you about an area); overall, I felt like the place felt just a little too clean and a little too nice… the spirit of Rock & Roll did not inhabit my body as the bouncer ripped my ticket, if you know what I mean.

Last night changed that perception for me. The staff was noticeably courteous and cool. With the place packed and the singer in the middle of the crowd, I didn’t notice that it was a bit tidier than I prefer. An awesome band was in town, the show was sold out, everybody danced, the band kicked ass, I cracked the face of my iPhone, I fell in love about eight times, and the experience held up to nearly any show I’ve seen in my life.

What were your favorite two or three songs they played last night?

Hannah: I’d say “No Consolation Prizes” and “1901.” I was a little disappointed about “Everything is Everything”–I wasn’t really feeling the slowed-down version. I also didn’t wasn’t into the sped-up version of “If I Ever Feel Better.” It was kind of rocked-out on instrumentals, yet Mars was spitting the lyrics kind of like rap. But other than that, Phoenix’s live music is as satisfying–if not more than–their recorded music.

Jesse: Two-part question: Where would you rank them in the pantheon of the top bands currently making new music? Do you think they’re going to keep getting better? (I worry that they might be entering the plateau or new-album-sounds-like-the-last-one-but-worse phase.)

Hannah: I really favor them… they’re one of the top five bands for me. Clearly they’re behind the big ones, like Radiohead and Arcade Fire, but I love them. I’m really partial.

I just think they’re the epitome of cool. French guys who make music that’s sweet yet you can dance to–and the lead singer is Sofia Coppola’s baby-daddy? I mean, come on, already.

I don’t think they’re going to plateau because they’ve only been getting better with every album, and they’ve already put out quite a few.

To change the subject… would you feel comfortable eating the NorVa’s popcorn? (I do not. It’s just the last place I’d want to eat popcorn. Like, who knows how long that popcorn has been sitting there?)

Jesse: Damn, Hannah, did the popcorn at The NorVa say something bad about Momma Serrano? I do not share your spite for The NorVa popcorn. I’d eat it for breakfast tomorrow morning. I’d love it.

Hannah: At one point, you observed that the NorVa last night was perhaps “the hottest roomful of people” you’ve seen since you got here. Please describe.

Jesse: There was a lot of taut skin, facial symmetry, and pants so tight they told the story of the person’s life. But to be serious, yah, I did notice that it was a particularly attractive and hip crowd. And I’m not just talking physically; the people there had a certain confidence, almost a kind of pride, that was alluring. They wanted to be nowhere but exactly where they were, and that’s sexy.

As we were leaving you mentioned how happy you were that Norfolk came out for this.

Hannah: Yeah, it’s important that we go to shows, so that bands and tour managers know Norfolk is some place to continue coming back to. The fact that Norfolk will pack shows like Band of Horses and Phoenix says a lot about this city. We’ve got good taste, and we support live music. It was an amazing way for the NorVa to ring in its tenth anniversary. I think it definitely earns its great national reputation.

Are you satisfied? Do you think this conversation review worked out?

Jesse: I am satisfied.

Read the original article here.