On Tuesday night Scottish outfit The Twilight Sad brought their current tour with Brooklyn’s Port St. Willow to Baby’s All Right. Considering The Twilight Sad just played Webster Hall last November with We Were Promised Jetpacks, getting to see them play the more intimate Baby’s All Right was the perfect way to take in their set of awe-inspiring tunes.
Ever since catching Port St. Willow at CMJ, I’ve always tried to catch the group live when the opportunity allowed for it. Even so, it’s been two years since I’ve seen them live, and they’ve since gone through some changes with the live lineup. This was easily the best incarnation of the band yet, with an impressive drummer as well as a talented multi-instrumentalist handling both keys and a trombone, not the mention the great deal of effect pedals for each.
The set was a hushed journey of songs both old and new, blended into one seamless meditation, which left me completely immersed in the foggy world of Port St. Willow. The crowd, most who I’ll assume were there for The Twilight Sad, were thankfully polite and quiet throughout the set. Based on their positive reaction, they were blown away by what they just witnessed, just like I was at CMJ just a few years ago. There is a new album on the way soon, keep an eye out.
This was my first time catching The Twilight Sad live and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Seeing the Scottish band play their tour de force power anthems only a mere feet away from me at Baby’s was magical. They probably should be stunning fans at larger spaces like Terminal 5, but hey, I’m not complaining.
The tour brought them back into the states in support of last falls rock wonderful record Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave. Most of the night’s material was lifted from that album, and they brought it to life with ease. Frontman/singer James Graham is an explosive force, often theatrically showing the pain and emotion of the lyrics, belting his lyrics with his eyes closed. This is a stark contrast the rest of the group, who are more of a calm stoic presence, letting Graham be the centerpiece to their whirlwind sound. Gazing through the faces in the crowd, I was impressed with how many fans were singing along with the band, showing clear affection for the band and the meanings behind each crowd. This is a band that hits you at your core, connecting with something deep within.
I’ve had previously enjoyed what I heard from The Twilight Sad, but getting to experience such a show up close and in person made me realize just how special they are, and I left with a much greater appreciation for them.
The Twilight Sad Setlist:
1. There’s A Girl In The Corner
2. Last January
3. That Summer, at Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy
4. Drown So I Can Watch
5. I Became a Prostitute
6. It Never Was the Same
7. Alphabet
8. Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave
9. I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want
10. Nil
11. Cold Days From the Birdhouse
12. The Wrong Car
13. And She Would Darken the Memory
Port St. Willow:
The Twilight Sad:
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