M'Lou Elkins
Cold War Kids
10/24/24 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/Nuoffermedia.com
Fall was upon Madison, WI and the night was chilly. Emblazoned on the Sylvee’s marquee: “Cold War Kids. 20 Years.” The line was packed with people bundled up, waiting to enter the venue’s glass doors. The fan chatter was mostly about which songs they were looking forward to hearing. The crown jewel of Midwest music venues was ready for tonight’s celebration and anticipation was running high. As the line moved through security, the barricade filled up quickly. To the right of the doors, the merchandise stand was full of band goodies and exclusive items. On the left, a bar ran along the entire back wall. Above the main floor, two additional levels held suites, paid seating, and more standing-room areas. The Sylvee was built for maximum efficiency.
Cold War Kids took the stage to a massive ovation and wasted no time jumping into “Love Is Mystical”. The feel-good song had the venue singing loudly. Bassist and band co-founder Matt Maust took it all in as he stood on the front lip of the spacious stage. The radio single from 2017’s LA Divine was a perfect table setter. The song is about finding meaning and inspiration, and taking the journey to find it. That couldn’t have been a better reason to open the show with it, as a concert is an experience and journey from song one to song twenty-two. Co-founder and jack-of-all instrumental trades, Nathan Willett, engaged the Madison crowd every chance he got. The breaks in between felt homely and contained small tidbits of information. Whether intentional or not it was welcomed.
Cold War Kids provided songs from eleven full-length albums, and the audience lapped up every minute of the performance they were being treated to. Garnering a lot of fanfare, “Can We Hang On?”, “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?”, and “Wasted All Night” filled the middle of the expansive set. The most impressive moment came when the wildly creative and heavy groove-laden “Mexican Dogs” had the floor dancing the night away. Willet poised behind a keyboard and a microphone, then pushed his vocals to areas he had yet to reach all night. Added to the incredible performance was, “All Of This Could Be Yours”. The build-up and long winding outro are captivating. They seamlessly deliver well-crafted songs that force you to instinctually move to the beat and take over your senses. Standing there inhaling the good vibes one note at a time allowed you to soak in how strong the show was. The stage darkened and a small encore ensued.
After the short break, Cold War Kids returned to the stage to massive cheers. Everyone in the building knew what songs were left. As “Something Is Not Right With Me” started, fans in the upper levels had their phone lights on and waved them around. Judging by the smile strewn across the band’s faces they saw the small gestures hailing down from above. However, the platinum smash single “First” had the venue buzzing with craziness. Cold War Kids are no fools to the unwavering grip the song has on its fandom. Their encouragement to sing along to those famed words didn’t fall on deaf ears. The audience repeated every single word. Their voices bounced off every surface. Couples danced and hugged. That wholesome feeling “First” provides hit its mark with ease and as the final note rang out Cold War Kids walked to the front of the stage as a group. They waved and said ”Thank You” repeatedly before exiting the stage.
\\Check out the Cold War Kids concert photo gallery below//
As the crowd proceeded to amble their way out of The Sylvee’s front doors, it wasn’t hard to notice the amount of pleasure the patrons had on their faces. After twenty years of existence, Cold War Kids continue to deliver those lyrics that made you fall in love with them. This night was a statement about how solid their legacy is. The folks hanging out in front of The Sylvee’s marquee prove it is a well-loved legacy and despite the chilly evening, the heart was still warm. That feeling will always remain as a fond memory.
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