Live Review: Death Cab For Cutie 170 Russell

To start the night we see the energetic Say Hi open with songs about vampires and everything in between. The brainchild of Eric Elbogen, this one-man show demands much more energy than we're willing to offer. Even though the crowd doesn't seem to give much, Elbogen doesn't let it get to him, turning to dad jokes about radishes and pumping his fist during higher moments.

Then, fresh from Splendour In The Grass Death Cab For Cutie hit the stage. Opening with the first track off their latest album, No Room In Frame, it's the only way they can start the show while, at the same time, showing everyone they still have what it takes to be a world-class live act in every respect. As they head into an old favourite, Photobooth, the audience either love it or have no idea what the song is. From early on it's clear that this is going to be a show for the fans that have been around since the beginning, and the entire crowd are happy with that. Then Death Cab For Cutie switch straight into the first single off new album, Black Sun, then into Doors Unlocked And Open. But before they're able to perform The Ghosts of Beverly Drive there's a break because of a few issues with the drum sampler. But it's not all bad, because Ben Gibbard lets everyone know that "ISIS are real dicks" and that "there's music press people here". He's great at killing time on stage when needed and it's great to see the band relax and talk with the audience.

Later in the set, the audience get all the classics we could hope for, from What Sarah Said to the beautiful and haunting I Will Follow You Into The Dark (before which Gibbard notices an audience member crying and seems humbled). And of course we get You Are A Tourist, Cath, Soul Meets Body and I Will Possess Your Heart. They finish on the grand and much-loved Transatlanticism.  

Watching Death Cab For Cutie is like re-watching your favourite movie; you know what's going to happen but you're still excited as hell and always find something new to love about them.