Death Cab For Cutie

Death Cab For Cutie + Slow Pulp @ O2 Institute 21st March 2023

A brilliant night of American at the Birmingham O2 Institute with Slow Pulp and veterans Death Cab For Cutie.

Death Cab For Cutie

First up were Chicago based Slow Pulp an American indie rock band. They are a very casual looking band with a very deep and mournful sound. Playing a chunk of their latest album – Moveys – the Institute crowd warmed to them as they kicked off  with a trilogy from that album -Idaho, At It Again and Track. Leading the band from the front is Emily Massey – vocals/guitar – who has an amazing voice that lends itself perfectly to their tone.

slow pulp

Next is New Media – from the Big Day (EP), then new single Steel Birds with the rest of the band. Alex Leeds, bass/vocals, Teddy Mathews, drums and Henry Stoehr, guitar are very casual in dress but create an wonderful sound that fills the room. They lead into another one off the Big Day (EP) – High, then another new single – At Home. The set finishes with Montana off Moveys before they leave the stage to a massive ovation. 

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

Then it was time for Bellingham, Washington-based rock veterans  Death Cab for Cutie who bounced onto the stage played the first of a number of songs from their new album Asphalt Meadows ,. These were I Don’t Know How I Survive followed by another new one – The New Year. The crowd were already in full swing and frontman / guitarist, Ben Gibbard was jumping and high kicking his way round the stage. The set is a real mix of old and new, carrying on with some older favourites The New Year, Cath…  and Narrow Stairs, Nick Harmer – bass and Jason McGerr – drums are on top form giving the older songs a new lease of life. Then three newer songs Here to Forever from Asphalt Meadows, Black Sun from Kintsugi and Northern Lights from Thank You for Today.  The crowd are singing along, loving every second and swaying along to Gibbard’s requests. 

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

The rip-roaring set is in top gear now with old a new songs being interspersed – I Miss Strangers, Crooked Teeth, Rand McNally and I Will Follow You Into the Dark. The institute is the perfect venue for nights like this, with a very full building lost in the music. The set ends with another mix of old and new, which is the pattern for the evening – Asphalt Meadows, We Looked Like Giants, The Sound of Settling, Foxglove Through the Clearcut after which they leave the stage with sound of the crowd ringing in their ears.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

We didn’t have to wait long before the boys return with their final new song of the evening – Codes and Keys then straight into Pepper before Soul Meets Body.  A stunning version Transatlanticism finishes a brilliant evening before we all leave happy into the Birmingham night.

 

Review and photographs: Andy Shaw

 

Check out our other reviews album reviewsnews and interviews

About Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *