I missed Phoenix at Bonnaroo, but at the time I didn’t really know what I was missing. I’d heard a bit off their new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and of course had heard a handful of their previous hits that I’d picked up through osmosis. So I wasn’t really that sad at the time, more excited actually, since it meant I had a few minutes to sit and recover from the grueling schedule. But in the months since then, I had time to soak in what is easily one of my favorite records of the year. And really, if I didn’t have a second shot to catch Phoenix live, I’d probably still be kicking myself right now.

The one downside to Phoenix’s show is that I had to photograph it. The lights were so frantic that I had to focus on taking pictures when I really just wanted to jump the rope, sit in the front row and enjoy it as one big experience rather than something that required work on my part. But still, even trying to photograph the show was enjoyable. They just have such a dramatic show that it’s best to just kick back and accept it. Or dance. Dancing is also acceptable and encouraged.

And really, the big treat was hearing “Lisztomania” live. That song is so much fun that it’s probably illegal under certain oppressive regimes. Honestly, if everyone who bought Vampire Weekend’s debut album heard this song, I think several thousand minds would be blown in colleges across America. But the good thing is that Phoenix are getting fairly close to the love the deserve. And I was just a small part of that ocean of love they brought forth from the audience at Monolith. But really, when you’re playing hits like “Long Distance Call,” how can we keep it to ourselves?

I’m trying so hard not to end this by saying that they’re a fantastic band who have recorded a fantastic new album and put on a fantastic show, but really, that’s all I want to end with. Phoenix is hitting on all fronts this year and I couldn’t be happier about it. Their music is smart, fun and full of a zest for life. We should all be so lucky as to have more of that in our lives.

More photos after the break