San Diego Follows Death Cab For Cutie Into the Dark

Indie rock staples Death Cab for Cutie stopped at San Diego’s premiere venue Gallagher Square at Petco Park on August 2nd. The group has been busy with their recent Plans 20th year anniversary tour, and the Transatlanticism dual headline with The Postal Service before that, but that hasn’t slowed their creative process or drive. The band recently released their 11th full studio album I Built You A Tower earlier this spring and are on a worldwide tour in support with various incredible artists joining them at different stops along the way. Today, pop indie trio Nation Of Language opened the night in the best way.

On the beautiful summer evening, Ian Richard Devaney (vocals, guitar, synth), Aidan Noell (synth, vocals), and Alex MacKay (bass) took the stage and wasted no time on getting the crowd going with their catchy bop “A New Goodbye.” Devaney graced every inch of the stage that he could access including a cool synth duet with Noell and guitar dueling moments with MacKay. The trio delivered flawlessly a toe-tapping bounce and groove that hooked the audience. It was Nation of Language’s final stop on their travels with Death Cab and they truly laid it all out for a floor of new fans. Upon the conclusion of their set as they humbly gathered their gear, the crowd roared asking for setlists, praising their fantastic set and stoked to see what it’s store for them.

As the house lights dimmed with the sunset the crowd cheered with excitement to immediately be followed by the opening chords of “Riptides,” off I Built You A Tower. The band’s chemistry remains untainted after all these years of touring and recording (as I Build You A Tower is their 11th full studio album, not including the early day EPs) which is truly something to be said in this ever-changing industry. Through marriages, divorces, loss and celebrations, the band has always found their way back together to write and create to cope. The fans are absolutely enamored by it. After speaking with a fan in the front row who was on her 86th show so far, it solidified the mark the group has made on an entire genre. The band seamlessly transitioned to old favorites like “The New Year” off 2004’s Plans album where I saw the fan’s eyes light with delight as if it were the first time seeing them play it.

Death Cab sounded effortlessly precise but gave “jamming with friends” type of chemistry. The set truly had a flow of buildups and peaks, with valleys and humble moments in between. Frontman Ben Gibbard built the three minute intro of hit song “I Will Possess Your Heart” into an enormous crescendo, instrument by instrument (looping some of them himself) before the grand opening line and music pause that seemed to echo throughout the entire city. Soon after, Gibbard stood alone in a spotlight guiding us through a six thousand person sing-along of “I Will Follow You Into The Dark,” even giving us an extra chorus to get every last body in Gallagher Square singing in unison. It was such a magical moment shared between generations of fans from all walks of life, which is really what I think the band sets out to create. Mission accomplished, boys.

As the band concluded their set, the crowd did not let up until they got the encore they deserved. After excruciating few minutes of a “will they or wont they” moment, the band finally reappears to deliver “You Are A Tourist,” “Tiny Vessels,” and a grand finale buildup to deliver the emotionally charged “Transatlanticism.” Death Cab for Cutie will continue their I Built You A Tower World Tour through Europe this fall and then back to some North American dates later this winter. Do your inner child a favor and secure tickets to a Death Cab for Cutie show at your nearest city!