Death Cab for Cutie at the Hollywood Bowl

I saw Death Cab for Cutie at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday evening. It was a pleasant night of music. The Los Angeles Philharmonic joined in on the fun for about 5 songs. I’m not sure they added all that much to the music. For a moment or two you'd hear a brass instrument ringing loud, but other than that the Philharmonic didn't seem to add much -- though I was way in the back so perhaps it was more enjoyable for people up close.

What did add a lovely twist was the final song. Fireworks started up behind the stage. I half wondered if these were just extra fireworks left over from the 4th of July. Probably not. It was a lovely ending to their set. I sort of wished that Death Cab for Cutie was able to see the fireworks themselves, because it was so beautiful seeing the fireworks going off as the band played.

I have to admit that Death Cab for Cutie is one of those bands I’ve heard of, but I wouldn’t really be able to name off any of their songs. I was a bit amazed during their set how many of their songs I actually recognized. The great thing about the band is the distinctness of the lead singer's vocals.

There were two other bands: The New Pornographers and Tegan and Sara. Both made statements about how amazing it was to play at the Hollywood Bowl. I think both bands were a bit intimidated by it all. Tegan and Sara kept on mentioning how nervous they were. Interestingly, based on their myspace pages and such, both are from Vancouver, Canada (Tegan and Sara mentions on their myspace page as being both from Vancouver and Montreal -- I'm not sure how that works)– a place I recently visited and will shortly have a massive music column up on inTraffik.com.

Notes about the Hollywood Bowl. I went with some friends. I learned an interesting parking trick. Park at Hollywood and Highland. Buy some goodies at a 2nd floor food vendor who will give you parking validation. Walk up to the Hollywood Bowl. The parking was $4 plus a few extra dollars for a couple snacks. All told it is probably just slightly cheaper than just parking at the Hollywood Bowl, but on the other hand you aren’t waiting around, drumming your fingers on your car's hood, for people to get to their car. (I personally tend to do something similar, but I usually just take the metro to Hollywood/Highland and then walk up.)

It was getting a bit chilly at the Hollywood Bowl around 9 p.m. My friends were all cold at that point. Luckily, we all had jackets.

I usually post pictures with my music blogs. Sorry about not having any. I was way way way up in Section W.