30 Apr Death Cab for Cutie Cuts Into Our Hearts
There are a few artists that have the ability to reach their words deep into my heart and exact pure emotion. M83, Florence and the Machine, and Alt-J have all moved me to tears on more than one occasion. Another band that reserves this right is Death Cab for Cutie.
I’ve been listening to Ben Gibbard’s poetry since 2003, when Transatlanticism, was gifted to me by a dear friend. The Seattle band’s music has had a monumental impact on my life’s softest, and most coarse, moments. Gibbard’s words are bound within my heart, never to be separated.
Photo by Chris Salata for Sunfest | Copyright 2016
I had the honor of seeing Death Cab for the very first time in September 2015. I was left emotionally exhausted at the end of that two hour, magical set. I knew to wear a shirt that I could use to wipe away tears.
Death Cab is been my favorite act on this year’s line up. I hope that’s okay to share. My heart literally leapt and somersaulted when I saw their name on the bill. Death Cab for Cutie. In West Palm. What else could we need?
Photo by Chris Salata for Sunfest | Copyright 2016
Playing opposite of the wild and unpredictable Steve Aoki, I was quietly concerned they would be drowned out by the noise and chaos. But the first strum of “No Room For Fame” silenced all concern. Death Cab, while known for their gentle tunes, brought the same ferocity and movement that blew me away in Austin.
There was no flashy backdrops or strobe lighting needed for these music veterans. Just bathed in melting lights, Death Cab is well aware that they need only their instruments to encompass our broken hearts. Our hearts may have shattered at the tender age of 14 or 19 or 29, but it is their sound that put us back together. All of those bruised moments swept back over us, standing among the peaceful, astounded crowd. I could feel it in myself. I could feel it in the stranger next to me. It ripped open our scars and healed us in new ways.
They moved us into “Crooked Teeth,” “The New Year,” and Kintsugi’s “Black Sun.”
I say this loving all of Death Cab’s discography, including all the gems of The Postal Service, but Kintsugi is my favorite album to date. Truly. I find myself constantly speechless by the depth of their latest work, and it translates so magnificently live. They would play two other of my favorite tracks from the album, “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive” and “Little Wanderer.”
The rest of their set included the rest of their beloved, ageless hits: “I Will Possess Your Heart,” “You Are A Tourist,” and “No Sunlight.”
“Feel free to sing along to this one,” Gibbard politely asked, before lifting us into “Soul Meets Body.”
Their final two songs, “Marching Bands of Manhattan” and “Transatlanticism,” left my cheeks tear-stained and salty. The latter starting so softly, and then building and rising into this emotional wave that crashed against my heart, again and again. It’s what we all wanted to hear.
I need you so much closer, Death Cab. We need you so much closer. Thank you for the wonderful night.