Alt-indie rockers and Grammy award nominees Death Cab for Cutie played a solid nearly two hour setlist at Eugene’s Hult Center for the Performing Arts Monday night.
Touring to promote their new album “Thank You for Today,” the band opened with touching and nostalgic “I Dreamt We Spoke Again.” “Your Hurricane” plus sparkling and exuberant “Autumn Love” were also included – all from the new album.
Also on the evening’s setlist: new, transcendent “Northern Lights” and their supreme album single “Gold Rush,” a rocking lament about development and the loss of special places in one’s hometown.
Eugene’s show marked the first leg of their tour to promote the new release. An album that sparkles and satisfies, most tracks on ‘Thank You for Today” are a winning mix of lead singer Ben Gibbard’s vocals and lush, tastefully layered guitars. All of their newly released tracks seemed to elicit favorable fan reaction.
Fans also showed enthusiastic appreciation for “No Sunlight” and “I Will Possess Your Heart,” both from “Narrow Stairs.”
Their beautiful “Soul Meets Body” was yet another concert treasure. From the 2005 “Plans” release, it garnered a massive audience sing-along prompted by Gibbard; it’s still (deservedly) a huge fan favorite.
Minor quibble: the show’s sound was often a tad too high and nearly caused bass distortion in a few places.
Audience bedlam ensued near the end of the night and the band returned to the stage for a strong finish.
Encore selections included lovely and acoustic “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” as well as an enormously fabulous rendition of “Crooked Teeth.”
The band performs tonight in Portland at Keller Auditorium. Additional tour stops include Berkeley, Phoenix and Dallas – plus shows in Ireland, Denmark and Norway in January.
From the new album and currently on Portland Radio Project’s playlist are “Gold Rush” and “Autumn Love.”
All this and a fun opening act
Opening for Death Cab for Cutie were the high-powered rockers Charly Bliss.
From New York, the band performed a fun setlist with lead singer and guitarist Eva Hendricks clearly in command. We spotted a young concert-goer toting vinyl on the way out.
A full night of music, indeed…catch them both live if you can!
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Was more than a tad too high it ruined the concert for us as you could not make out any of the lyrics we were very disappointed