Kevin Bronson on October 19th, 2014

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Recap and photos by Michelle Shiers

The New Pornographers certainly know how to master longevity – in terms of career and set length. Behind their sixth album “Brill Bruisers,” the Canadian band performed 27 songs including two encores Friday night at The Wiltern. Though a few of the members now have their own solo ventures, they come together wonderfully, boasting flawless harmonies and hooks.

Though the Wiltern was not sold out, the venue felt packed in with diehard fans who cheered vehemently at the start of each song. New tracks blended in with old ones
as the New Pornographers propelled the show in the way only a seven-piece can. Trading off front-person duties is something this band does well, and with the likes of Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, A.C Newman and Dan Bejar rotating at the helm of the sound, their mid-tempo pop jams bulked up into a full-fledged collaborative party. They started the show with the title track of their new album, ended it by going back to their 2000 debut for “The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism” and in between mixed new songs like “Dancehall Domine,” “War on the East Coast” and “Spidyr” with old ones like “All the Old Showstoppers,” “Adventures in Solitude” and “Letter from an Occupant.”

Newman confessed “We’re sort of dumbfounded in front of this many people … We don’t know what to say.” Luckily for the fans, they didn’t say much and instead spent that time getting through their near two-hour set.

Brooklyn’s the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart preceded the New Pornographers with their signature indie-pop sweetness. Singer/guitarist Kip Berman gave most of the energy and Jessica Weiss gave most of the sheen. With shoegaze elements and a pseudo-Anglo sound, they performed a handful of newer songs like the popular “Coral and Gold” as well as older tracks like “Belong” and closed with their self-titled B-side singing “We will never die.”