Concert Review: Cold War Kids in Columbus

Cold War Kids

Review & photos by Jack Foley

Cold War Kids returned to Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH for the sixth time in the band’s history on November 8th, 2024 to support their 20 Years Tour, commemorating the band’s time together.  The show was opened by Husbands, who were an ideal opener for Cold War Kids. Their sound combines elements of indie pop and surf rock, with a touch of psychedelia wrapped in infectious melodies to make for a great performance. The audience, however, seemed disinterested, and it was their loss. Husbands put on a great show and used the stage to their advantage, opting for the use of the full lighting rig, which opening acts tend to shy away from. Overall, they set the atmosphere for the evening and primed the audience for Cold War Kids’ performance,

Husbands

Cold War Kids blazed through their extensive discography complete with all of their hits such as “Hang Me Up To Dry,” “Miracle Mile,” and “First.” The band has been a staple of indie rock for the past two decades and managed to fill the venue to near capacity, which, for a relatively underground band, was surprising in the best way possible. Their seamless production and dedication to the audience experience had yielded a highly loyal fanbase, many of whom could be seen wearing shirts from tours dating back over a decade. The band wrapped the show with an encore consisting of “Something Is Not Right With Me” and “First.” Overall, the show had great energy and atmosphere, and it’s clear that Cold War Kids are here to stay with the performance of their newly-released single “Meditations.” Twenty years of touring, writing, and recording have only strengthened the group’s chemistry. With new music on the way, it’s safe to say that Cold War Kids is a project that will last for many more years to come.