Death Cab for Cutie is an American indie rock band that formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band is known for their unique sound that blends indie, alternative, and emo influences. Some of their most popular songs include “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”, “Soul Meets Body”, and “Crooked Teeth”.
Death Cab for Cutie is currently gearing up for a major North American tour in support of their latest album, Thank You for Today, which was released in 2018. As with any big tour, fans are eager to know who will be opening for the band and getting the crowd ready at each show. The opening act is an important part of the concert experience, helping set the tone for the headliner.
So who will be opening for Death Cab for Cutie during their upcoming tour? Let’s take a closer look at who you can expect to see before Death Cab takes the stage each night.
Molly Sarlé
The first supporting act on the tour is Molly Sarlé. She is an up-and-coming indie folk singer-songwriter. Originally from Oregon, Molly Sarlé first gained attention as the lead vocalist of the band Mountain Man. The trio is known for their minimalist and ethereal folk songs.
In 2017, Sarlé released her debut solo album Human Conditional to positive reviews. Her music style has been described as intimate folk-pop with lush harmonies. Some of her singles include “Baby Baby”, “Human Conditional”, and “Vegetable Garden”.
As a solo act, Molly Sarlé has opened for bands like The Lone Bellow and Justin Townes Earle. The Death Cab for Cutie tour will be her biggest supporting slot yet. Her dreamy, stripped-down songs should pair nicely with Death Cab’s catalog and make for a great introduction.
Low
The second supporting act on the tour is the indie rock group Low from Duluth, Minnesota. The band consists of married couple Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker, along with bassist Steve Garrington. Low has been around since 1993 and is considered pioneers of the slowcore subgenre, with their slow tempos and sparse arrangements.
Some of Low’s most acclaimed albums include Things We Lost in the Fire (2001), The Great Destroyer (2005) and Double Negative (2018). Their music combines slow tempos, dissonant harmonies, and personal lyrics. Singles you may recognize include “Pissing” and “Monkey”.
Low has developed a devoted cult following over their long career. They’ve supported bands like Radiohead and Wilco on tour. Their minimalist and brooding sound should mesh well with Death Cab’s atmospheric rock. Low’s set will bring a solemn and hypnotic energy to the show.
Lomelda
The third and final opening act on Death Cab for Cutie’s tour is the rising star Lomelda. The project of Texas musician Hannah Read, Lomelda crafts gentle and introspective indie folk. She has released several solo albums: 4EVER (2017), M For Empathy (2018), and Hannah (2019).
Some of Lomelda’s dreamy guitar pop songs to check out include “Interstate Vision”, “Wonder”, and “By Myself”. Her tender vocals and personal lyrics have drawn comparisons to Snail Mail and Mitski. But she has developed her own intimate and comforting sound.
Lomelda is relatively new to the scene but has quickly built a following. She’s opened for acts like Snail Mail, Lucy Dacus, and Soccer Mommy. Her appearance before Death Cab for Cutie will be her biggest platform yet. Expect her hushed songs to cast a delicate spell on audiences.
Why Were These Acts Selected?
Death Cab for Cutie likely hand-picked these specific artists to open their shows for a few key reasons:
To Support Up-and-Coming Acts
While they could easily select well-known headlining acts, Death Cab seems committed to highlighting rising talents like Lomelda and Molly Sarlé. This gives these artists great exposure while keeping the focus on the headliner.
Complementary Sounds
All three openers play forms of atmospheric and introspective indie rock/folk. Their sounds should smoothly transition into Death Cab’s set. Molly Sarlé’s harmonies, Low’s solemn slowcore, and Lomelda’s dreamy guitar pop all set the right mood.
Gender Diversity
Many rock tours feature all-male lineups. But Death Cab makes an effort here to include both female (Molly Sarlé, Mimi Parker of Low) and male artists. This makes for a more inclusive and diverse show.
Fan Interest
While they may not be huge mainstream names, these acts have devoted followings who will be excited to see them. Their fanbases will likely show up early and get drawn into the later acts on the bill too.
Set Times
So when can you expect to see each act take the stage if you’re attending one of Death Cab for Cutie’s tour stops? Here is a typical rundown of the set times:
| Performer | Set Time |
|---|---|
| Doors Open | 6:00 PM |
| Lomelda | 7:00 PM |
| Low | 7:45 PM |
| Molly Sarlé | 8:30 PM |
| Death Cab for Cutie | 9:30 PM |
| Show Ends | 11:00 PM |
Of course, times may vary a bit by venue, but this gives you a good idea of the schedule. As you can see, you’ll want to arrive early if you want to catch all the acts. It’s going to be an incredible show from start to finish!
What to Expect from Each Opener
Now that you know who is opening and when they’ll take the stage, what can you expect from each act’s performance? Here’s a quick rundown:
Lomelda
You can expect a short but sweet 25-30 minute set from Lomelda. Her performance will likely feature her on vocals and guitar, with a backing band. Expect gorgeous renditions of her best folk-pop songs like “By Myself” in an intimate, ethereal style. She may preview some new unreleased material too.
Low
The pioneers of slowcore will deliver a mesmerizing 35-40 minute set. Mimi and Alan’s stunning vocal harmonies will be on display for sparse, gloomy songs like “Pissing” and classics like “Words” and “Over The Ocean”. Their performance will be stripped-down but intensely beautiful.
Molly Sarlé
Molly Sarlé’s opening set will last around 45 minutes. She may divide it between her solo work and Mountain Man material. Expect stunning renditions of harmonies-heavy songs like “Human Conditional” and “Slow Wake Up Sunday Morning”. She’ll bring intimacy and urgency with just her guitar and vocals.
Conclusion
Death Cab for Cutie has curated an excellent lineup of up-and-coming indie artists to open their latest tour. The atmospheric folk-pop of Lomelda, chilling slowcore of Low, and gorgeous harmonies of Molly Sarlé perfectly complement Death Cab’s headlining set. Make sure to arrive on time to catch all these talented musicians. It’s sure to be an unforgettable show from start to finish. See you there!
