Veteran indie rock band Cold War Kids brought their newest record, New Age Norms 1, for a two-night stand at New York City’s Webster Hall. The second evening featured a slightly longer set, including rocking renditions of “Hot Coals” and “Lost That Easy.” Here are five things that stood out from the February 5 concert:
Overcoats Steal the Early Scene
New York City’s very own Overcoats supported Cold War Kids. Led by vocalists Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell, the group dazzled with their harmonies and synchronized dance moves. They handily won over the audience midway through the set, when they asked for cover requests. Of course someone yelled for “Wonderwall,” and Overcoats happily obliged, delivering a rousing singalong. Elsewhere in their performance, they showed the range of their original music styles, from the twangy folk of “Cherry Wine” to the fierce rock of “The Fool.”
Cold War Kids Start Fast
When Cold War Kids took the stage, they seized the crowd’s attention from the get-go with the spirited one-two punch of “Love Is Mystical” and “Miracle Mile.” On the latter, lead vocalist Nathan Willett showed off his singing chops, nailing the high notes over the jaunty keys and drumbeat. “Complainer” followed next, providing the show’s first taste of New Age Norms 1’s funky style, led by Matthew Schwartz’s emphatic keyboard work and Matt Maust’s bassline.
Overcoats Get Their Encore
Midway through the set, Willett took a seat behind the piano for a somber take on new track “Beyond the Pale.” The rest of Cold War Kids briefly exited, but Overcoats’ Elion and Mitchell returned to the stage to deliver some heavenly harmonies one more time. Even during the slower moments like this, Willett commanded the crowd with his croon.
Cold War Kids Close Their Main Set with Robbers & Cowards Throwbacks
The set skewed more towards the band’s last two studio albums, but when Cold War Kids dug into their archives, they got some of the biggest responses of the evening. On their hit “Hang Me Up to Dry,” Maust once again led things off with a killer bassline. He and guitarist David Quon were dynamite together in terms of their chemistry, as they circled the stage throughout the show while engaging the crowd. The fans then joined in for perhaps the biggest singalong of the entire night. “That’s how we do it!” Willett exclaimed with a grin as the track ended.
For “We Used to Vacation,” Willett returned to the piano again for another slow burner of a track. In the middle of the song, the band went completely silent. After the dramatic pause, Willett picked back up with the anthemic chorus, as the crowd relished in the drawling guitar riff and bassline melting into a discordant coda.
Up Close and Personal in The Encore
After closing the main set with “First,” Cold War Kids briefly ducked offstage. Once back, they unleashed “Mexican Dogs,” but it was next track “All This Could Be Yours” that really got the crowd moving. As Willett leaned offstage, a sea of outstretched arms reached out in hopes of shaking the singer’s hand before bouncing along to the lively chorus. With closer “Saint John,” Willett took it one step further, standing atop the barricade to finish the set amongst the fans. Before saying good night, he strafed in front of the stage to high five and thank pretty much everyone in the front row.
