Death Cab for Cutie at the Masonic Temple

By Cypress Stroscheim

On October 11, Seattle-Based Indie band Death Cab for Cutie performed at the Masonic Temple as part of their tour to promote their tenth studio album Asphalt Meadows, released on September 16. 

Opening for them was San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Thao. This was the second time Death Cab for Cutie has played at the Masonic, having performed there back in 2019 on an earlier tour.

Having Thao as an opening band was an interesting choice on Death Cab for Cutie’s part. Thao’s sound, which is similar to that of other women singer-songwriters like MARINA and Mitski, is very contrasting from the somber emo-influenced sound that Death Cab for Cutie has gained notoriety for. 

Thao did a great job interacting with her audience and explaining the stories behind her songs, getting them excited for what’s to come later on in the evening. Her song Fool Forever, which interpolated M.I.A’s 2012 hit “Bad Girls,” was a crowd pleaser. 

Death Cab for Cutie is a band that sounds virtually identical live as they do recorded, which makes seeing them live an enjoyable experience. Throughout their set, they had a lighting system that lit up the stage in vibrant hues from all colors of the rainbow, and another light system close to the ceiling that matched the beat drummer Jason McGerr played. 

The band had a nice mix of their newer songs and older fan favorites. Much like Thao, singer Ben Gibbard does a great job interacting with the audience, making them feel like old friends. Their set began with songs from their new album, starting with the track “I Don't Know How I Survive” and finishing with some of their classic songs, like “Soul Meets Body” and “I Will Possess Your Heart”