Ben Gibbard Covers Stars, Rilo Kiley @ Hiro Ballroom, NYC 6/30/08

Rhapsody celebrated its new DRM-freedom by renting out Hiro and inviting Ben Gibbard to perform an acoustic set. Tough crowd -- I suspect many attended for free MP3tinis -- and I wouldn't say the Death Cab frontman won them over so much as the douchebag contingent dispersed to the Ballroom perimeter after a few songs. The talent anticipated worse: "This is the exact opposite of how I expected it to be," he said after the first few songs. "You guys are actually listening."

Ben's songs are so cuddly and lonely. He's like the indie rock WALL-E. But in addition to those Death Cab For Cutie and Postal Service tunes, we got "Carolina" from the Home Volume V EP, and covers of Rilo Kiley, George Jones, and Stars' "Your Ex-Loved Is Dead," which I don't think he's performed before (watch it after the jump). Ben opened with my current favorite song from Narrow Stairs, "Cath," which will be the album's next single (scoop). Below, setlist, videos, and a photo of Ted Danson.

Photos by Shelby Chan.

SETLIST
01 "Cath"
02 "Title And Registration"
03 "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" (Stars cover)
04 "Brand New Colony"
05 "Carolina"
06 "Grapevine Fires"
07 "Silver Lining" (Rilo Kiley cover)
08 "Photobooth"
09 "405"
10 "We Looked Like Giants"
11 "She Thinks I Still Care" (George Jones cover)
12 "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"

"Your Ex-Loved Is Dead"

"Silver Lining"

"She Thinks I Still Care"

Posted at 4:13 PM by Scott in Concert, Video
Tags: Ben Gibbard | Death Cab For Cutie | George Jones | Stars

26 Comments

i bet he hasn't had to deal with that chatty of an audience in ages. ..it probably brought back old times.

Posted by: lovethegibbs at 07/01/08 5:07 PM  | Reply
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Grapevine Fires is one of the best tracks I've heard this year. Such a great song.

I bet that crowd was annoying as hell.

Posted by: james at 07/01/08 5:20 PM  | Reply
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i realized recently that it's best to listen to songs about documentation and heartbreak in the glove compartment in the privacy of my own room.

Posted by: grace6697 at 07/01/08 5:22 PM  | Reply
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ted danson + beard

Posted by: wordupagain at 07/01/08 5:54 PM  | Reply
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i can't believe he covered Your Ex Lover Is Dead

Posted by: justin at 07/01/08 5:57 PM  | Reply
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I would murder for an mp3 of Your Ex Lover Is Dead.

Posted by: Dommy at 07/01/08 6:28 PM  | Reply
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Me too! That would be fantastic :)

Posted by: f  in reply to Dommy's comment at 07/01/08 11:09 PM  | Reply
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this show wasn't nearly as chatty from where i was sitting...

Posted by: matt at 07/01/08 7:04 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, I figured as much. I was standing behind the chairs and there was a lot of chatting/texting.

Posted by: Scott  in reply to matt's comment at 07/01/08 7:36 PM  | Reply
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mp3tini....wow.

Posted by: McG at 07/01/08 7:08 PM  | Reply
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no surprise here, Gibbard's cover of Silver-Lining is better than Rilo-kileys version. Well, I mean, that whole album DID suck pretty bad.

Posted by: Evan at 07/01/08 7:29 PM  | Reply
Score = -1

I like the Gib as much as the next guy but I wasn't sold on clicking the "continue reading" button (I'm sorry I dont know the proper term). That is until I was teased with the inclusion of a Ted Danson photo. Needless to say I was not disappointed.

Posted by: buns at 07/01/08 7:52 PM  | Reply
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please. shave. the. chops.

Posted by: bly at 07/01/08 11:25 PM  | Reply
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Liked the cover of that Stars song - not too keen on the mutton chops.

Posted by: seth at 07/01/08 11:26 PM  | Reply
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enjoy kiddies

http://www.mediafire.com/?tndidj0txn0

http://www.mediafire.com/?oomfmpigmw0

Posted by: Ben at 07/02/08 12:54 AM  | Reply
Score = 3

You're my hero :)

Posted by: Dommy  in reply to Ben's comment at 07/02/08 10:33 AM  | Reply
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Who did you end up murdering?

Posted by: Ben  in reply to Dommy's comment at 07/02/08 11:29 AM  | Reply
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Many thanks!

Posted by: berto  in reply to Ben's comment at 07/06/08 2:09 PM  | Reply
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hey.... do you mind sending those over my way? if you can spare a minute or two, please... thanks

Posted by: maude  in reply to Ben's comment at 11/03/08 10:51 AM  | Reply
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There was admittedly alot of blackberry action from the crowd. I really almost punched the dumb blonde who was trying to chat up the DJ durring Ben's set.... incessant squawker. But other than that, incredible show. He played almost every song I could have wanted to hear. And he's just so endearing. I somehow missed Ted Danson.

Posted by: slide at 07/02/08 11:55 AM  | Reply
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Worst. Gift. Bag. Ever.

Posted by: yo at 07/02/08 11:58 AM  | Reply
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there were a lot of jappy girls there who were much more interested in John Krasinski (aka Jim from the Office) who was also in attendance

Posted by: fifi at 07/02/08 12:19 PM  | Reply
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More mp3s of this show!!!!

Posted by: Pete at 07/02/08 9:44 PM  | Reply
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They duped all you guys!
That's definitely Matthew Sweet doing a Ben Gibbard impersonation......

Posted by: Winthropfist at 07/07/08 10:01 PM  | Reply
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house frog trust wood white stay yahoo stone

Posted by: wooduglygree at 08/15/08 8:53 AM  | Reply
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it makes me sad that Rhapsody apparently did not record this performance for their Live Performances section, or that no one bootlegged it. Given the spirit of the event (Music freedom/etc), it almost makes it more funny than sad, but sad still wins out because that would be an amazing set to hear acoustically.

/cryface

Posted by: art at 08/15/08 9:31 AM  | Reply
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