Death Cab for Cutie + BellesWill Ring @ Rebel Rebel(15/07/06)

Thu 20th Jul, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Death Cab For Cutie’s return to Australia was a triumphant one. After gracing our shores in support of Something For Kate, the Seattle lads went from no-names to a band we all had to pay attention to. In their absence from Australian shores they released more music and increased their fan-base exponentially. As you would expect, Death Cab For Cutie devotees have been awaiting their return with unbridled anticipation and ravenous ears. The OC’s Seth Cohen might no longer be their biggest fan…

The crowd at Sydney’s Home Nightclub was simply buzzing before Death Cab’s arrival. They waited patiently through a set from Sydney’s Belles Will Ring, who revealed a grand, spacey sound reminiscent of The Dandy Warhols. But soon it was time for the headline act. The excitement was electric.

Death Cab For Cutie took to the stage, dim-lighting gently illuminating the keyboard at centre stage, where lead singer Ben Gibbard sat and performed a medley of love songs from their Transatlanticism album. Then the stage burst into bloom as ‘The New Year’ erupted from the speakers.

From then on, the ecstatic audience were treated to an 85-minute set. Death Cab For Cutie assured us that they would have played longer, if they weren’t being booted off stage to make way for DJs. ‘One of the problems with playing at a nightclub…’ said Gibbard, wistfully.

Whether it was the pop-magic of ‘Soul Meets Body’, the mellow melody of ‘Photobooth’, or the upbeat sing-along of ‘The Sound Of Settling’, the crowd loved every minute. They sang long and loud and clapped constantly. Death Cab For Cutie’s performance was engaging and their stage banter was witty, endearing and not over worked. Gibbard threw out a quick anecdote about recently sharing an Australian plane flight with fellow Seattle band, Queensryche. He also revealed that Death Cab For Cutie are afraid of dying an ironic death…like dying in a taxi accident.

After an extended, rhythmic jam version of ‘We Looked Like Giants’, the crowd wasn’t going to let them get away without an exceptional encore. The band didn’t disappoint. Gibbard performed ‘I Will Follow You Into The Dark’ on his lonesome before being joined by fellow band members, drummer Jason McGerr, guitarist/producer Chris Walla and bassist, Nick Harmer, for an epic, full-length version of ‘Transatlanticism’.

With sold-out shows and a stellar performance at Splendour In The Grass, Death Cab For Cutie have left an indelible imprint on our touring circuit. If they continue writing anthemic pop with thought-provoking lyrics, their audience can only widen and their established fans can only fall deeper in love. Let’s hope they return soon.