Before playing their new song “No Sunlight,” Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard commented on how its title was consistent with the gloomy weather. It was so overcast Tuesday evening that the surrounding skyscrapers disappeared in the dense fog. But fortunately, the rain held off for Death Cab’s entire show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
The Seattle-based indie rockers achieved mainstream success with the large, accessible sound of their last two albums – Plans and Transatlanticism. But throughout the 90-minute, sold-out show, Death Cab proved their newest album Narrow Stairs is no slouch either. The record is full of the same dark, yet heartfelt rock that their fans have grown to love. Among the concert standouts were album and show opener “Bixby Canyon Bridge,” “Cath,” “Long Division” and the stalker anthem (and first single) “I Will Possess Your Heart.” The warmth of Gibbard’s voice can make it easy to overlook this song’s creepster factor. Here’s a sample lyric: “There are days when outside your window, I see my reflection as I slowly pass. And I long for this mirrored perspective, when we'll be lovers, lovers at last.” While it was nice to get a taste of the new, my personal favorites were “Crooked Teeth” and “Your Heart is an Empty Room” from 2005’s Plans.
Fans had two seating choices for the show. I was with the majority of the audience who paid $10 for admission to the Great Lawn. Tickets to the pavilion seats were about $40. There were also a lot of stragglers listening in from outside the gates. From the expansive lawn, it was easy to see the monstrous, stainless steel structure that surrounds the stage, but nearly impossible to get a good look at the band. While Death Cab’s music is very accessible, many of their songs are also very intimate and would’ve come off better in a more intimate setting. I’m sure it was easy to get lost in the music in the pavilion, but the lawn was full of distractions that made it hard to zero in on the full performance. For $10, I can’t complain much. It was a lot of fun to see a great band in a great park in the heart of the city.
And it looks like Death Cab’s visit will be the only rock show at the Pritzker Pavilion this summer. Last year, the venue, which typically hosts the Grant Park Orchestra, drew large crowds for Wilco and The Decemberists. The next such show slated for the Pritzker Pavilion is a free one from Chicago’s own indie darling Andrew Bird on Sept. 3.
Print
E-mail
Jim Collins
Jim Collins follows Chicago's live music scene for the Windy Citizen with his Live Wire blog. He recently graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a master's degree in new media. Prior to that, he worked as a reporter for one of the Sun Times News Group's suburban newspapers and a small daily in southwestern Michigan. Jim's also a music junkie, who appreciates a wide range of musical tastes. From hipster to hippy, raver to rapper, he likes it all. More
Comments
Just wanted to share a tip for concert-going at Millennium. There's a really easy way to get the $10 tickets and then see the entire show: Stand on the ramp that leads down to the bathroom. For some reason Millennium security doesn't bother people that stand there, and it's a better view than a lot of people with the expensive seats have!
I loved the concert ... except for the fact that they played Soul Meets Body and I Will Follow You Into the Dark during the 10 minutes I was in line for the bathroom. Another tip ... the bathroom on the east end of the park rarely has lines. Awkward to share online, but true.
Jim
This show sounded great. Wish I could have seen it. Definitely go so Andrew Bird in September because he puts on a great show! Keep up the good writing.
Great show and great pics!! Very cool place to see shows. This James Collins guy really know how to write. Keep it up.
Post new comment