Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Death Cab For Cutie's Energetic Show at the Wiltern
()
The alt-rock phenoms Death Cab For Cutie played to a full house last night at the Wiltern. With five albums of material at their disposal, the band selected an eclectic mix of new and old. All the big crowd pleasers were included, like "The Sound of Settling," "The New Year," "Soul Meets Body," and "Marching Bands of Manhattan." They saved the gems, "Transaltanticism" and "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" for the encore. The latter was the strongest song of the evening. The lights were dimmed - leaving only Ben Gibbard, armed with his guitar, romantic lyrics, and vulnerable vocals.
It's a credit to Gibbard and company that the set wasn't filled with "safe bets." A few songs were off the less-popular (pre-OC) "We Have the Facts And We're Voting Yes" album. They even sprinkled in one of their early demos.
Though you might expect a concert from this band to include one tear-jerking song after another, that couldn't be farther from the truth. They are surprisingly animated live. All the songs take on an entirely different energy than their album counterparts. In fact, if LAist has any criticism of the show, it's that Death Cab tried to speed up and amplify their songs [just a smidgen] too much. "Title and Registration," while amazing live, felt hurried. Likewise Gibbard's confessional vocals were occasionally drowned out by the clamor of the band. But the group is still finding their pace with the new "Plans" material. Perhaps the kinks will work themselves out.
Support for LAist comes from
The Montreal-based Stars opened for Death Cab. Their music was unapologetically honest, especially "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead." Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell's remarkably compatible vocals lend a slight ethereal edge to the music. Our main criticism is the band's shy stage presence... at times they were playing more to one another than the crowd.
The concert, as a whole, is very much worth the ticket price. Both bands will play the Wiltern again tonight at 8 PM.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist