Gig Review: Death Cab For Cutie

Whilst their legions of be-fringed disenfranchised fans, and a collection of hits akin to the Grey’s Anatomy sound track seem to suggest otherwise, I have always persisted that Death Cab For Cutie aren’t an ‘Emo’ band. Always seeming more sincere than their ‘Emo’ counterparts, Death Cab’s melancholic lyrics always seemed due to their influences as opposed to convention. Nevertheless, last Wednesday’s set at the Brixton Academy, seemed to prove that at the very least, Death Cab For Cutie have the tunes to hang with the big boys.

As Walla, Gibbard, Harmer and McGerr jogged on stage to the usual riotous applause, the now skinny as a rake Ben Gibbard took the spotlight and quipped “What’s goin’ on?”. Whilst the choice of opener; ‘The Employment Pages’, was a lacklustre ease in to the show, it didn’t fail to captivate the adoring audience. As the lads settled into what was to be a typically laid back set, it was nigh impossible not to be struck by a mix of their absolute sincerity and flawless instrumentation.

Being a band whose sound is largely defined in the studio, one would expect that their intricate songs would be impossible to recreate on stage. Armed with only two guitars, a bass, drums and an organ; Death Cab managed to perform the likes of ‘Soul Meets Body’ seamlessly, whilst still maintaining a delightful spontaneity.

Just when you thought they couldn’t be upbeat, Narrow Stairs’ ‘No Sunlight’ and Plans’ ‘Crooked Teeth’ brought movement to the crowd. Then Gibbard took the spotlight alone with an acoustic guitar, and sparked the most intimate sing-along of the night, with ‘I Will Follow You into the Dark’.

The post encore treats including the sombre piano ballad ‘What Sarah Said’, and the beautiful ‘Title and Registration’. The epic ‘Transatlanticism’ in all its eight-minute glory, closed what was a quietly powerful set.

They may not be the biggest live act in town, but through their at times sedate performance, shines an aching sincerity. Their music isn’t designed for stadium rock, nor will it ever be, yet in a setting slightly more intimate, their song writing shines.