This year’s All Points East delivered a series of spectacular moments, starting with producer Kaytranada, who captivated the audience with his hits, including Victoria Monet’s “Alright.” The festival hit a triple high with three standout acts, beginning with “J”—Joy (Anonymous), Jai Paul, and Jockstrap—leading up to LCD Soundsystem’s electrifying set.
It’s always bittersweet to see such an event end, but there was a certain melancholic beauty in staying for the festival’s glorious supernova finale. This year’s closing night was far from ordinary, featuring an exceptional double headliner: Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service.
While the previous evening was about James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, the final night belonged to Ben Gibbard, the frontman of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. Gibbard and his bands played both LPs to mark the 20th anniversary of their iconic albums, Transatlanticism and Give Up, creating a nostalgic yet vibrant atmosphere.
Before Gibbard took the stage, memorable performances came from The Gossip and The Decemberists. Beth Ditto of The Gossip proved she still has the vocal prowess and charisma to shake the reserved UK crowd out of their shells with a hedonistic blend of rock, disco, and funk. Though more subdued, the Decemberists captivated the audience with their introspective lyrics and engaging stage presence. Colin Meloy’s amusing mix-up, thinking he was in Hackney when All Points East is actually in Mile End, only deepened the connection with the crowd—a charming mistake that Pulp might not have made but one that endeared the band even more to the audience.
The final acts began with Death Cab for Cutie. Ever the crowd-pleaser, Gibbard encouraged the audience to “go nuts” since it was a bank holiday, and they certainly did. Performing Transatlanticism in full, the band showcased the album’s timelessness with its expressive guitar and piano-driven melodies. In a touching moment, they dedicated “We Looked Like Giants,” a song “about having sex in a car,” to The Decemberists. The synergy between the band and the audience was impressive, considering the minimalist stage setup—black outfits, a dark backdrop, and subdued lighting.
After a brief 15-minute intermission, Gibbard returned with The Postal Service, trading black for bright white attire. The shift in tone was immediate and exhilarating, with fluorescent lighting and a more electronic sound that had the crowd dancing and clapping along to songs like “Recycled Air.” In addition to playing Give Up in its entirety, Gibbard delivered a heartfelt acoustic rendition of “Such Great Heights” before closing the festival with a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence.”
This year’s All Points East felt like a case of “All’s Well That Ends Well” rather than “what goes up must come down.” Brilliance was a constant throughout the festival, culminating in a perfectly executed finale. The double headliner was a masterstroke, transitioning from the soul-stirring, lyrically rich indie rock of Death Cab for Cutie to the high-energy, electronic beats of The Postal Service. As the previous night belonged to James Murphy, the final night unquestionably belonged to Ben Gibbard, who led the festival to an unforgettable close.
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