Modest Mouse Brings 30 Years of Music and a Sold-Out Crowd to The Sound with Sun Atoms

Modest Mouse brought their 30 year career catalogue to San Diego for a night of music that spans 30 years. On the heels of their recent release “An Eraser and A Maze,” Modest Mouse proved why they are still one of the best. Supported by Sun Atoms, the sold-out Sound San Diego crowd got everything they had hoped for and then some.

Opening the night was Sun Atoms from Portland, Oregon and instantly created an atmospheric mood. They are one of the most interesting live acts I have seen in a very long time, and I absolutely loved their set. The perfect pairing for this tour with Modest Mouse. An infusion of what you could call psychedelic/dark-wave post-punk (it’s a mouthful I know, but such a great sound) had us enamored from the start. Their stage show matched their sound perfectly. Dark and moody lighting with hints of green, purple, and blue made the venue feel small and intimate.

Modest Mouse was next to take the stage. On the heels of their recent release, “An Eraser and A Maze” had San Diego fans waiting in excitement. Not even a guitar player change could derail this tour.

The moment they took the stage, the dance floor and balconies came alive. Immediately, we were hit with an elaborate show. Rays of light flooded the stage, matching the rhythm perfectly to the start of the set. They opened their set with “Third Side of the Moon.” A moody jam off their recent release followed by “Breakthrough” and “Dancehall” which had their loyal fan base singing along word for word. Lead singer Isaac Brock is at home on the stage. He has such a commanding stage presence and wastes no time getting fans involved. Paired with Russell Higbee’s driving bass lines, you were left with no other choice but to lock in and move along with them. I was so impressed with Seth Jabour of the band Les Savy Fav. He is truly an exceptional guitar player and musician. What he was able to do with what some reports say was only four days to prepare for the tour was extraordinary. He filled in masterfully, which allowed the blistering two-hour set to flow perfectly.

Modest Mouse closed out the night with “Gravity Rides Everything,” “Ocean Breathes Salty,” and “Night on the Sun,” leaving the crowd feeling full.