The Hunger Games was probably my favorite book series in high school. I was SO excited when they announced the movies, I practically stalked entertainment news sites for information about the films. When "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars was released as the first single from the soundtrack, I immediately fell in love.

I decided right then that I would have to buy the entire soundtrack, and that was honestly one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. That soundtrack is what got me into the music I listen to now! One of my favorites from the soundtrack was "One Engine," by The Decemberists. It immediately stood out! It was catchy, the lyrics were interesting, and the lead singer had such a unique, distinct voice. I was hooked!

Six years and a million repeats of their album "The Crane Wife" later, I finally got to see The Decemberists live! It was brilliant, beautiful, and completely amazing. Everything about their performance was incredible! If you've been considering seeing The Decemberists on their Your Girl/Your Ghost tour, here are seven reasons you should absolutely do that!

1. The Stage

This might be one of my favorite pictures (from this instagram post) from the tour so far! Look at that skull! It's incredible!! And there's a tiny skull in front of the drums that holds Coin Meloy's harmonica!

2. The Set List

Unfortunately, you won't hear "One Engine" on this tour, or "The Island: Come and See/The Landlord's Daughter/You'll Not Feel the Drowning," BUT they open the show with "Everything is Awful" and close it with "The Mariner's Revenge Song," and old and new favorites fill the space between, with everything from "Make You Better" and "The Shankill Butchers" to "Severed" and "Sucker's Prayer."

Image from this Instagram post.

3. They're funny!

At the show I attended in Nashville, frontman Colin Meloy constantly joked with the audience and guitarist Chris Funk actually took his shirt off as a hilarious signal for the audience participation part of "The Mariner's Revenge Song."

4. The TALENT

The songwriting is brilliant, the vocals are incredible, and the instruments all sound amazing, and it stays that way when they're on stage in front of hundreds of people.

5. "Ben Franklin's Song"

Yes, this song get's its own spot on this list, because it is IMPORTANT! This song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for Hamilton, but it was ultimately chopped from the show. He passed it on to Colin Meloy, since The Decemberists were the inspiration for the song, and now we are graced with the opportunity to hear this gem live and sing "do you know who the fuck I am?/I am Poor-Richard's-Almanac-writing Benjamin-fuckin'-Franklin" as loud as possible. It isn't on any of the Decemberists albums, but it IS on Hamildrops!

6. "The Mariner's Revenge Song"

Yes, ANOTHER song gets its own spot, but this song is so brilliant and epic that the live performance is easily one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. Any live performance is incredible (and I love listening to the one above), but the way it is performed on this tour is just mesmerizing! I would pay full price for tickets JUST to see this song performed live again. It's an amazing experience, and that's at least partially because of. . . .

7. The Giant Whale

The entire "Mariner's Revenge Song" performance was incredible, but it got a million times better when they brought out a giant inflatable whale!

Overall, the show was incredible, and I suggest that everyone go see The Decemberists next time the opportunity arises!