American dream-pop band Cigarettes After Sex famous for its melancholic, slow tracks that hit straight to the heart and emotions took over the entirety of MOA Arena last January 14. Despite the monochromatic atmosphere, sweet sounds echoed throughout the venue, giving fans another unforgettable night of great music and pure bliss.

The show opened with ‘X’s’ followed by ‘You’re All I Want’ which established a brooding yet calm atmosphere. Tracks like ‘Dark Vacay,’ ‘Dreams From Bunker Hill,’ and ‘Tejano Blue’ to name a few made their way to the night’s setlist. The notes of the first few songs has hit hard towards emotions, yet soft on the ambiance. Fans were immediately in a haze of captivating, broody music and that was just the start of the night.

Following on with more tracks from their 2017 titular album ‘John Wayne,’ ‘Sweet,’ ‘Sunsetz,’ and ‘K.’ — the crowd was enveloped in somber yet pulsating tones. The hauntingly, dreamy voice of lead singer Greg Gonzalez, along with the twang of the lyrical notes of Randall Miller’s bass and echoing drums of Jacob Tomsky, the band closed off their set with fan-favorite ‘Apocalypse,’ and sleeper hit ‘Opera House’. Cigarettes After Sex perfectly encapsulated the meaning of their music through their live show and by forming a genuine connection with their listeners. It was a goosebumps-filled show - hauntingly beautiful.

Big thanks to Karpos for making the show possible, and to Secret Signals!