While Hollywood’s elite attended fancy Grammy parties Saturday night, loyal fans of Los Campesinos! stood in line almost two hours before doors opened for this sold-out gig. Most were cold and hungry and hungering to see the Welsh band, still touring on 2011′s Hello Sadness. So it didn’t take long for the Echoplex to fill up with fans to witness opener Parenthetical Girls.

Fronted by charismatic Zac Pennington, the quartet warmed things up quite fast. Based in Portland, Pennington has appeared on Portlandia and his sense of humor and unique style made me want more—especially after their cover of the Smiths’ “Handsome Devil.”

As soon as Los Campesinos! took the stage, the crowd rushed forward. The seven-piece band could barely fit on stage, but they somehow made it work. Lead singer Gareth Campesinos! asked if there were couples in the crowd and stated this wasn’t a show for couples—it was a show for despair. Yes! I was at the right show.

Setlist:

By Your Hand
Romance is Boring
Death to Los Campesinos!
Life is a Long Time
Letters From Me To Charlotte
Songs About Your Girlfriend
There Are Listen Buildings
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Straight in at 101
To Tundra
You! Me! Dancing!
The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future
Hello Sadness
Baby I Got The Death Rattle

Miserabilia
Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks

Los Campesinos!

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Parenthetical Girls

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Photos by Debi Del Grande