Cold War Kids are a long way from their debut album Robbers & Cowards, released in 2006. They kicked off their first show of the year on their nationwide tour in Portland the other night. The tour is in promotion of their latest effort, New Age Norms 1. Cold War Kids really know how to keep the crowd going, 14 years since their first debut and they are still rocking it.

Now, their album LA Divine has a very special place in my heart, but the visual world and new tracks that accompanied this new album may be swaying me to have a new favorite. But they make it too easy! they played seven of the eight tracks on the new release, such as “Complainer” and “4th of July”, to name a few of the galvanizing new album. They still stayed close to their roots, though.

Opening with my favorite, “Love is Mystical”, and playing some hits from their debut “Hang Me Up to Dry” and the ever-iconic “Hospital Beds”. I mentioned the visual world accompanying this era right? I spoke to a team member and he said a band member makes the visuals for their merch, posters, album covers, you name it! The creative genius isn’t exclusive to their songwriting, and in the same style of this new era, the group performed in front of a huge backdrop made to read the name of the album over and over again with bits and pieces of newspaper tag lines covering the empty space, among other things.  Reminder: it’s called New Age Norms! Available to stream on all music platforms, and not to get you too excited, but frontman Nathan Willett announced that they just finished recording New Age Norms 2! Fingers crossed 2020 is the year for the second part, maybe another tour? We’ll see.

Speaking of another tour, Overcoats opened the show for Cold War Kids. I don’t know if opened is the right word, they might have stolen the show if you ask me, they performed on that stage as if they owned it during their set. Touring in promotion for their new EP, The Fool, the duo of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell KILLED it. Playing tracks from their debut album Young, such as “Leave the Light On”, new tracks like “Keep the Faith”, and even a cover of Hozier’s song “Cherry Wine”, which was as sweet as the title suggests, and maybe even sweeter than the original version. They moved on the stage as one body, making complementary movements and simultaneous choreography that left you thinking that this was two holograms of one person. Not to say each of the singers didn’t have their own abilities, because with JJ being able to switch to the keys, and Hana shredding it on some strings, they each showed that even individually they are a force to be reckoned with.

Remember when I said something about another tour when I started to talk about Overcoats? That’s because they’re going to be back in Portland in April, and I am going to do everything I can to be at that show. Will I see you there?

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Cold War Kids

Overcoats

By: CJ Hueso | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!

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