Few bands can make nostalgia feel quite as comforting as Death Cab for Cutie.
Seven years since their last Sydney visit, the Seattle indie veterans returned to the Hordern Pavilion to find a room full of people seemingly very happy to pick up where they left off.
Melbourne shoegaze outfit Acopia opened proceedings, illuminated in soft, smoky red light and filling the Hordern with dreamy electronic sounds. It was a suitably hazy entry into an evening that would spend plenty of time floating somewhere between the present and the past.
A chill, nostalgic crowd
Around 15 minutes before Death Cab were due on stage, the floor steadily filled. Groups chatted politely while the roadies worked, everyone relaxed, nobody in much of a hurry. It was definitely a chill, nostalgic crowd – those who latched onto Death Cab somewhere near the beginning and never really let go. They like meaningful, intelligent lyrics, comfort and, judging by the person repeatedly waving their blue raspberry Powerade triumphantly into the air, hydration!
As the lights dimmed, the crowd hushed and the sound of Kraftwerk drifted across the room. “Here they come!”
And Death Cab for Cutie wandered onto the stage.
There’s something immediately reassuring about watching a band that has been doing this for decades and knows exactly how to play together. Nothing felt forced. They were tight without feeling clinical, and completely at ease.
Perhaps Death Cab would make an excellent road trip band. Warm days, windows down, a long stretch of road ahead…
It’s been too f*cking long!
An early outing of “The New Year” brought the first big response of the night before frontperson Ben Gibbard addressed the room.
“Hello Sydney, it’s been too f*cking long!”
Apparently, the feeling was mutual.
The set moved comfortably between eras, with Kintsugi favourites “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive” and “Black Sun” followed by newer material, like “I Built You a Tower (a)” from the band’s 11th album of the same name.
The night’s most intimate moment came with “I Will Follow You into the Dark”, dedicated to people the band met on their first Australian tour back in 2003 who helped them get started here.
Gibbard stood alone beneath a bright spotlight with his guitar, the rest of the Hordern disappearing into darkness. It’s a romantic little number that, after all these years, people still absolutely adore. Voices began joining his almost immediately before he invited the entire room to take a verse. And they obliged.
For a few minutes, the Hordern became one very large, slightly sentimental singalong.
“I Will Possess Your Heart” offered something completely different, its long instrumental introduction slowly building and stretching out before eventually giving way to Gibbard’s vocal. Later, the energy lifted again with “How Heavenly a State”, followed by the heavier punch of “Cath…”.
One of the pleasures of the night was simply watching the crowd whenever the opening notes of another song landed. First came recognition, then perhaps a memory. Where did they go? Back to college dorm rooms, first dates, first loves, best friends? You’d have to ask them.
After seven years away, no grand reintroduction was needed. Sometimes it’s simply very nice to have an old friend back in the room.
The tour finishes Sunday 15 November in Brisbane. Tickets for The Fortitude Music Hall can be found here on the Ticketmaster website.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Photo credit: Pete Dovgan – you can see more of Pete’s images HERE
