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In-N-Out Burger Sound Space at KROQ
June 8th, 2026 Review by Stuart Karpel
The newly renamed and refreshed In-N-Out Burger Sound Space at KROQ was the place for Death Cab for Cutie fans to be, and they lined the sidewalk in anticipation of the show’s start, enjoying their In-N-Out burgers and sharing stories about past shows.
KROQ employees, 106.7 contest winners, and Death Cab for Cutie super-fans alike waited anxiously for the doors to open, almost like the night wouldn’t truly begin until they were let inside. One fan casually mentioned it would be their 84th time seeing the band.
Once inside the In-N-Out Sound Space, every inch of the room quickly filled. More than 200 fans packed together shoulder-to-shoulder, gripping the front rail as if it were the edge of a cliff. The crowd buzzed with restless energy. Front-row fans flexed their shoulders and white-knuckled the stage railing, silently willing the show to start on their own terms.
Before the set began, KROQ’s Music Director, Miles Anzaldo aka Miles the DJ invited Ben Gibbard (lead vocals and guitar) and Nick Harmer (bass) to the stage for a brief interview, which felt more like a conversation between old friends than anything else. Mentioning their recent signing to Anti- records and the creation of their new album, “I Built You a Tower,” fans reacted with cheering and witty laughter as Gibbard spoke of a renewed sense of confidence and creativity with their new material.
Gibbard remarked that this experience “felt like the ‘90s” as nearly 90 songs were produced for the album, which made a “no phones” night at the Sid the Cat Auditorium the day before the perfect setting to embrace the connection between artist and audience. They shared their surprise that fans had already memorized multiple songs from “I Built You a Tower,” particularly “Stone Over Water,” despite only a few songs being available to the public at the time.
During the small intermission after the interview, the floodlights dimmed, an array of LEDs set the scene, and Death Cab took the stage as the crowd roared in excitement. From the first riff, fans know exactly what song would follow, “Riptides.”
From the get-go, the bass and drums surged through the room like waves crashing against a seawall. By the second verse, every one of Jason McGerr’s drum kicks was felt up your spine, seemingly shaking the floor beneath the audience’s feet.
The band then quickly launched into “The New Year” and as the LED lighting became brighter, Gibbard smoothly settled into a more animated stage presence.
The momentum continued with “Punching the Flowers” and “Here to Forever” as the tightly packed audience went from headbanging to swaying simultaneously with the somber ballad like tall grass in a windy field. The consistent singalong from the audience perfectly demonstrated the band’s ability to control the room’s emotional response.
Midway through the set, Gibbard switched to his sleek, black electric guitar leading into the next track, “Stone Over Water.” Ironically the instrument change slowed the mood, capturing the moment like a breath of fresh air after a sprint.
Next, they shared an unreleased song from the new album called “Trap Door,” introducing a quicker rhythm while maintaining a reflective energy. Gibbard picked up a tambourine, pressed it against his chest and despite the track’s newness, it felt nostalgic for the crowd like they’ve heard the tune a million times over.
They announced the last song, “Soul Meets Body,” as well as shouting out KROQ and thanking everyone for coming to the show. Fans practically sang the chorus on Gibbard’s behalf. For the first time all night, everyone pressed record and put their phones in the air, not to distract from the moment, but to encapsulate it.
Gibbard tossed his guitar pick into the crowd, causing a spontaneous but not unexpected wave of applause as the room exploded into a final plethora of cheers, whistles, shouts.
Although the seven-track setlist was brief, the band transported everyone in the room back to the ‘90s for an unforgettable night. The riveting performance wasn’t just a concert; rather a cherished memory for all those in attendance.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Skyler Barberio | @skylerbarberio (IG)
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