TORONTO - Punctuality, preciseness and professionalism are attributes often found during a job interview process and not really applicable to rock groups.
Judging from Saturday night's headlining slot at Toronto's Olympic Island, somebody forgot to tell that to Death Cab For Cutie.
The Seattle, Washington foursome took the stage at the exact time as promised and dazzled the thousands with a roughly 100-minute set featuring more than 20 songs. But what resonated from the opening notes of Bixby Canyon Bridge to the closing Transatlanticism was just how incredibly tight they perform as a unit.
Led by the constantly swaying singer and guitarist Ben Gibbard, Death Cab For Cutie sounded as if they were in their second year of touring behind this year's Narrow Stairs album rather than the mere six weeks they've been on the road.
Saying nothing early on, the group routinely executed songs such as the sombre dance-rock of The New Year and the catchy, quirky indie rock gem Photobooth with ridiculous ease. Such perfection is probably the perfect explanation for how a relatively under-the-radar group has garnered such a growing fan base over its last three albums.
"Hello Toronto and outlying areas," Gibbard said before stating in a rather business-like manner they were in the Big Smoke because of the new record. Later he would also state his appreciation for Stars who graced the stage prior to Death Cab For Cutie.
For the most part, the new material stood up quite well. The punchy, up-tempo Long Division with guitarist and keyboardist Chris Walla adding backing vocals had the crowd of generally teens and college kids moving while the deliberate, sullen flavour oozing from Grapevine Fires brought the pace down.
With the sun setting on the delightfully warm day, and a mackerel sky slowly turning to dusk, Death Cab For Cutie tossed out some older songs such as the lighter A Movie Script Ending and the one-two combination of Company Calls and Company Calls Epilogue with the rhythm section of bassist Nick Harmer and drummer Jason McGerr spot on.
What made the already strong show even more memorable was how Mother Nature coincided with another pairing of songs beginning with the campfire singalong feel of I Will Follow You Into the Dark which had the desired effect. Almost on cue, darkness descended as the band ventured into far darker territory with the lengthy I Will Possess Your Heart and its bold five-minute Cure-ish instrumental opening.
Other highlights included the chipper, bubbly The Sound of Settling, Soul Meets Body and the Marching Bands of Manhattan, which wrapped up the main set.
Opening for Death Cab For Cutie but playing a full 75-minute set were Stars led by the tandem of vocalists Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell. Having played jewels like Ageless Beauty, Take Me to the Riot, Bitches in Tokyo and Reunion, the band routinely tossed white and red roses around the microphones and amps
Just as amusing was Campbell's demeanour when he spontaneously kicked a microphone stand over while playing trumpet, frustrated by the loud feedback it was creating. Campbell also coaxed members of early opening acts Rogue Wave and Young Galaxy onstage to sing backup on In Our Bedroom After the War.
