You could feel it amongst the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars scattered through-out Metropolis Fremantle. Seattle's Death Cab for Cutie, a champion for disenchanted emo youth had returned to Australia.
Sold out weeks before the event, excitement pulsed through the disheveled teenage bodies like blood through self-harm wounds.
The entree was Brisbane's indie pop duo An Horse. My complete ignorance was pointed out by my concert guest when she told me the "front-man" actually had breasts. Kate Cooper was in fine form with her raw narrative voice ably supported by partner Damon. Their soulful melodies worked well on the right-brained audience although Kate's stories about her flight across from Brisbane didn't have the same effect.
A resonating guitar vibrato signaled the start of Death Cab's Bixby Canyon Bridge. The emo crowd gasped as Ben Gibbard emerged from the dark sans trademark black plastic rimmed glasses. He looked plump and well nourished, disappointing the black shirts in front of him. Bixby swelled to it's beautiful climax accompanied by a strobe light which would've worked better with the other lights dimmed.
DCFC then stepped back in time playing perennial favourites The New Year, Styrofoam Plates, Title and Registration, and Soul Meets Body which was met by a well deserved roar.
Pop radio's friend I Will Possess Your Heart was unsurprisingly a bit of a let down but remained a crowd pleaser. A short burst of lovable newbies Grapevine Fires and Your New Twin Sized Bed failed to have their desired effect. Perhaps fatigue had set in after a literally exhausting set or these songs had yet to engulf Generation Y.
I was hoping for a surprise ending but predictably Transatlanticism rounded out the night. It was superb though. Always special watching Jason McGerr playing nothing but continuous quarter notes on ride cymbal and snare. His increase in intensity towards the end of the song epitomised sublime simplicity.
All in all, I'd have to say their first concert was argubly better. More surprise, more spontaniety. They seemed too professional, too polished. The joy of going to a live gig is experiencing things you couldn't possibly imagine. Quoted by Ben Gibbard in Drive Well, Sleep Carefully.
But do come back Death Cab. I'll have my Chuck Taylors ready.
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