Concert review: Cold War Kids w/ Husbands | 11.11.24, The Pageant (with photo gallery)

Photo of Cold War Kids by Laura Jerele

How the heck have we been listening to Cold War Kids for almost twenty years now? Seriously, not sure where the time has gone since their debut Robbers & Cowards came out! No stopping them, they’re still making music and touring—their last St. Louis stop was just last summer when we covered their opening slot on the Tears for Fears tour. Glad to see them headlining The Pageant for a tour stop where they could dive into their catalog and give their fans a fantastic set. And that it was!

They opened with “Love is Mystical,” a song so good that it could damn well be their encore song. Yeah, that’s pretty much how good this show was from the get go—banger after banger. My favorite song of theirs, “Miracle Mile,” was third on the setlist and I was still in the photography pit clicking away, thinking I would hear that song near the end of the set as well! I immediately yanked out my ear protection (oh shut up, it’s loud up there!) so that I could fully absorb the song while I clicked away and sang my little heart out! This band never disappoints, but I have to say this show was one of their very best of their many stops over the past twenty years here in the Lou. They sounded fabulous, they played super tight, and even though it was a Monday night, it sure didn’t feel like it! What song did they play last, you ask? “First.” They played “First” last. Gotta love it. 

Openers Husbands were soooo welcomed. I’ve been waiting for this band to actually make their appearance here after a few tour cancellations in recent years. I absolutely love this band, but it’s my first time catching them live here in our city and I loved watching the crowd react, sitting there bored and not wanting to sit through an opening band to all of a sudden taking notice, paying attention, tapping feet, opening phones to follow on Insta and Spotify. It was rad to see! Husbands are extremely talented, their music is a bit dreamy, and heavy, and these fellas really love their ’staches. Guess you had to be there. | Laura Jerele