Death Cab For Cutie - The Glasshouse, Gateshead 21.08.2026
Death Cab For Cutie
It’s twenty years since Death Cab For Cutie played the region (2006 Newcastle 2026 over the water here in Gateshea ) so there’s a lot of excited folk in the Glasshouse this evening.
They’re out touring the recent 'I Built You A Tower' album an emotional tale of Ben Gibbards personal relationship dissolving and whilst the lyrics tear the heart apart, opener of the set and first single 'Riptides' has a quirky uptempo beat that you can dance about to whilst sobbing along to “I’m too tired to talk, too tired to end the war“.
The album takes up about a third of the evening but being almost two hours and 24 songs long there is still room for plenty of old school favourites. 'The New Year' one of my personal top Death Cabs kicks in whilst I’m still in the photo pit trying to snap away and I’m hoping my added vocal isn’t being picked up on the mics nearby as no one, NO ONE really needs that at all!
Already the crowd are right behind the band bouncing to 'Punching The Flowers' tight drum beat that Jason McGerr makes it look so simple to keep up, he’s sat there at the kit cool as a cucumber leading the way while Ben dances his way round the stage not missing a note continually flicking and kicking the guitar lead out of the way.
To be honest Gibbard barely stands still all night even when he takes to the piano for 'What Sarah Said' he is back and forth one foot to the other like he’s his own metronome. Or is he just training for another marathon to run with the fan holding the card inviting him to join them :)
'I Will Follow You Into The Dark' is dedicated to our very own local legend Alan Hull and it’s just nice hearing his influence and talent being spoken about by someone not only from outside the region but the country too. The crowd totally on form joining in for a mass chorus singalong.
The Glasshouse is renowned for its incredible sound, the science behind the structure of this building is astonishing so it was a bit both odd and distracting that the PA had numerous cut outs through the set, I’m guessing the band had no idea of this in their in ear monitors as they just cracked on through each song with no noticeable knowledgable of it. I’m guessing it was a signal fault or loose connection somewhere between front of house sound and PA and although only milliseconds at a time you could see it annoying folk.
Luckily there were no such glitches during 'I Will Possess Your Heart' and the layers of Nick Harmers solid bass over the very dapper Dave Deppers atmospheric guitar licks entwined with Gibbards piano chords held together with McGerrs solid backbeat were each as crystal clear as each other was not only a testament to their superb sound engineer but also to this wonderful building! This song is just epic at the best of times but tonight I dunno it felt a little extended to me which was great but whatever it was it elevated it to a fantastic performance up there with the greatest!
As I said earlier the latest album played a big part in the set and the songs fit really well amongst the older classics but 'How Heavenly A State' was the one that really stood out for me, a powerful take on death, grief and acceptance set to a hard hitting rocker of a tune once again seeing Ben dancing to the beat of of his own internal drum
The two hours (ish) show flies by with more favourites like 'Crooked Teeth' and 'Here to Forever' leading up to a gorgeous set closer of 'Soul Meets Body' which has the Gateshead crowd in full vocal appreciation.
The four song encore (and evening) is rounded off with two in a row from my favourite Death Cab album 'Tiny Vessels' and the title track 'Transatlanticism' building and building on that beautiful “I need you so much closer“ refrain Bens voice pulling at all the heartstrings and while it may not be a traditional sturm and drang pyro filled rock show big ending its perfect for the band that Death Cab For Cutie are and have always been.
There’s many in the crowd I imagine are wishing they still had their emo fringe from their youth to cover the teary eyes as they leave happy but well emo’d up!
Photos & Review - G's Gig Shots
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