Live Spotlight ::: Cold War Kids

Cold War Kids
w. Houses
Wednesday 4/17/13
The Masquerade
Atlanta, GA

Still getting settled in at the Masquerade and encountering some old friends meant I miss most of opener,  Houses, but what I heard was enjoyable. As Downtown Records lablemates of Cold War Kids it makes sense that they'd tour together, but their ambieonic sounds (which I'm a big fan of) felt a little too mellow before a band whose tempo is all over the place and you know will come out firing. I would defiantly recommend giving Houses (Spotify page)a listen though. 

Having not looked at their setlists from the Dear Miss Lonely Hearts tour, I thought for sure they'd come come out blazing with 'Miracle Mile', their fast paced shake inducing first single. 'Loner Phase' is a great set-starter, but 'Miracle Mile' feels made for the leadoff spot. Having said all of that, the stead build from 'Loner Phase' to 'Mexican Dogs' to 'Miracle Mile' had Masquerade's Heaven soaring high. Once in the clouds the foursome from Silverlake, California came with the right hook of emotion belting 'I've Seen Enough'. 

As this was my third time seeing the band it's always interesting to see how they evolve and their stage presence changes. From the first time I saw them at Bonnaroo 2011 it was clear they band could grab and demand the crowds attention and that's only strengthened. The most interesting and attention grabbing part of their show is bassist Matt Maust whose stage movements are second to only Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I liken his dynamic stage maneuvers to a game of bassist tags as routinely through songs he'd lean on another member or just come by and touch them as long as he could. Maust also ventured into the crowd three times by my count, not an easy feat with an bass guitar. The group did one of the best jobs of mixing and matching from their music catalog while supporting a brand new album. The breakdown of four songs from their new Dear Miss Lonely Hearts, 3 from Mine is Yours, 5 from Loyalty to Loyalty, 5 from Robbers & Cowards, 'Audience' from their Behave Yourself EP and 'Minimum Day' a single released in support of their Minimum tour in early 2012. The group laid down some serious jamming following 'Fear & Trembling'. For fear of coming down from their musical high the crowd didn't break their eruption following their departure from the stage, begging for an encore. They were handsomely rewarded a passion laden trio. 

Hospital Beds

Cold War Kids Setlist
1. Loner Phase

2. Mexican Dogs

3. Miracle Mile 

4. I've Seen Enough

5. Royal Blue

6. Jailbirds

7. Audience

8. Every Man I Fall For

9. Rubidoux

10. Hang Me Up to Dry

11. Relief

12. Cold Toes on the Cold Floor

13. Louder than Ever

14. Fear & Trembling

15. Hospital Beds

16. Saint John

Encore

17. We Used to Vacation

18. Minimum Day

19. Something is Not Right with Me