Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Live Review: Los Campesinos @ Maxwell's 4-24-10 + Photos

Gareth of Los Campesinos @ Maxwell's

By Margarita Morales

Things work out for a reason. After having to reschedule and cancel some tour dates because of travel delays due to the Icelandic volcano eruption, Los Campesinos made it to the U.S.  from U.K. to play its first show of tour. The band played Maxwell's on Saturday at 3:30pm. Sadly, due to time contrasts tour buddies Cymbals Eat Guitars didn't perform. But Los Campesinos delighted with their indie-pop sensibilities. Live the band play as an 8-piece, which adds to the dynamic of their sound.


They opened with "I Just Sighed. I Just Sighed, Just So You Know"  from Romance is Boring, then went back to their first album with "Death to Los Campesinos," and then played "Miserabilia" from We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed. It was nice to hear them open with some songs from all their releases. The crowd responded with cheers. The front seemed to be excited and singing along and dancing to the tunes. Brother and sister Gareth and Kim carry on nicely together, switching back and fourth or together on vocals.  Gareth's "cheers" or "thank you" after each song was sincere and it was great to see the band genuinely seemed happy to be playing. He mentioned that his glockenspiel said "Don't be afraid to say hi to hot girls."
Good advice. Newer songs "Romance is Boring" and "Straight in at 101" sounded great. Past tourmates Titus Andronicus played a show later that night. Gareth said that they were running a bit late, but carried on and closed with "Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats." Los Campesinos is one of those bands with strong musicianship, layered instrumentation, soft and big parts, and a melodic indie-pop sound that's uplifting and sophisticated while still allowing you to have a good time.


Los Campesinos Setlist:

1. I Just Sighed. I Just Signed. Just So You Know.
2. Death to Los Campesinos!
3. Miserabilia
4. A Heart Rash In the Shape of the Show Me State; Or, Letters from Me to Charlotte
5. There Are Listed Buildings
6. Romance Is Boring
7. We've Got Your Back (Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #2)
8. My Year In Lists
9. Straight In At 101
10. This Is A Flag. There Is No Wind
11. You! Me! Dancing!
12. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
13. The Sea Is a Good Place to Think About the Future
14. Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks
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15. Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats

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