My love of the Cold War Kids started almost three years ago when I stumbled upon them while browsing around Myspace Music. With their release of Robbers & Cowards in 2006 and their follow up album Loyalty to Loyalty in 2008 it is no surprise that they have managed to make a name for themselves in today’s music scene. Just last month the band released their new EP Behave Yourself. The new EP preceded the band’s four city tour in late January. Last Friday night the tour was kicked off in Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theater. After arriving late we found that the line went down the block and turned around the corner. Hundreds of fans were lined up in the cold to see the Cold War Kids. After a short wait and the threat of more rain we were let into the warm venue. On your first entrance into the Wiltern there is a sense of awe. The high ceilings and elegant feel of the venue are a great setting for a great concert.

The fans anxiously waited for the band to take the stage. When the lights went out Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah took the stage and opened the show. The crowd wasn’t very interested in the opening band but the band did manage to get some people dancing. Alec Ounsworth recently released his solo debut Mo Beauty and has announced his first headlining tour beginning in February.

Finally after the techs finished setting up, Nathan Willett, Jonnie Russell, Matt Maust, and Matt Aveiro took the stage. After technical difficulties with Nathan’s guitar the band opened the show with “I’ve Seen Enough,” and everyone started singing along instantly. If you’ve seen the band live you know the antics they do while on stage. Nathan and Matt Maust would casually walk over to each other and give each other little kicks, hits, or pushes as they played. “Hang Me Up To Dry” had everyone dancing around and singing along. Before playing “Santa Ana Winds” from their new EP, Nathan took time to talk about Los Angeles and where the band began. After playing “Something Is Not Right With Me” the band left the stage for a break and the crowd kept screaming for the band to come back on for the second half of the set. Before ending the show with “We Used to Vacation” Nathan didn’t forget to remind us all of the tragedies in Haiti and the opportunities we all had to help.

The crowd sang along to every song that the band belted out, including the new songs from their recent EP. The hour and a half show left everyone happy and excited. If you have not seen this band live I suggest that you find a way to do it. Their set is always full of energy and they always have fun while on stage. They make you want to dance, sing, scream, and just go crazy.

After the show every person in the crowd was given a card that allowed them to download the whole set. I still can’t stop listening to it. I think I might go on a Cold War Kids music binge for a couple of days or until the next concert I go to. Until then I guess that ends this review.
Setlist:

I’ve Seen Enough
Hair Down
Audience
Red Wine, Success!
Welcome to the Occupation
Coffee Spoon
Dreams Old Men Dream
Relief
Hang Me Up To Dry
Hospital Beds
Long As I Can See the Light (Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover)
Saint John
Something Is Not Right With Me

Mexican Dogs
Tell Me In The Morning
Sermons
We Used To Vacation

– Laura
Totally Rad!!! Thursdays 8pm-10pm