Cigarettes After Sex • October 3, 2024 • Delta Center
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
Alternative band, more specifically Dream Pop band, Cigarettes After Sex returned to Utah just over a year after they played a sold-out show in Ogden. Cigarettes After Sex was part of the 2023 Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup. Not only were they part of the lineup, but the show was one of the most anticipated in the series. The show sold out and people were paying a premium on the second-hand market just to get in. While I wasn’t surprised that the band would be returning to Utah soon. I must admit that I did not anticipate them playing the Delta Center. Not only did they play the premier venue, they sold it out!
As I walked through the tunnel out into the arena floor to take my place in the photo pit, I looked around and there wasn’t a seat to be had. Even the seats that were just released earlier in the day were gone. The majority of the attendees were donned in all black. Outfits varied from a hoodie zip up and black jeans to some in full black ball gowns. People were ready for this show. Security was handing out water to those in the pit. Making sure they were hydrated and in good condition so they didn’t overhead before the show.
There was no opener. Just a playlist of music preparing the audience for the show. The volume seemed to increase as “Enjoy The Silence” by Depeche Mode began to play. It was clear that this would be the last song on the playlist before Cigarettes After Sex began. And sure enough, following the song, the lights went out.
Cheers rang out as Randal Miller and Jacob Tomsky took their place. The volume grew another level when Cigarettes After Sex founder and frontman, Greg Gonzalez walked on stage picked up his guitar, and walked to the microphone. The show began with the title song of their 2024 release, X’s. While I’d imagine this tour was taking place in part to promote the new release, Cigarettes After Sex only performed three songs off the album. And all of them in the first half of the show. I found that interesting. It must be so hard to decide on a setlist with a fanbase this dedicated.
Cigarettes After Sex fascinates me. They don’t do much as far as performance goes. They are positioned three across and the lighting is very subtle. Most of the time the only spotlight is on Gonzalez. When it comes to most arena shows I see, there is a big production or the band is all over the stage and the crowd is going crazy. While the Delta Center crowd wasn’t dancing as Dream Pop doesn’t exactly call for that, they were all standing, and they were definitely going crazy. I looked at the people around me; they looked like they were in a trance. Singing every word. But not only singing along in the fun way that you may have seen before. They were singing these lyrics so deeply. As if they were quoting their favorite scripture or poetry. It was a sing-along I had not seen before.
My favorite song of the night was “Sweet”. The lyrics are so well crafted. The mix of the message and melody makes for a great live experience. I wasn’t the only one into this song. From the first note, the audience was transfixed and the chorus swirled throughout the Delta Center as thousands of voices joined in.
Greg Gonzalez wins the award for “Getting The Most Out Of The Most Subtle Of Moves”. It’s amazing! The guy can take a step to the side, away from his microphone, and look at a certain section of the audience, and the place goes nuts. He can slowly walk to the foot of the stage and the arena goes berserk! It’s one of the more impressive things I’ve seen. The tone of the show is set by Greg Gonzalez’s voice and demeanor. His voice is clear, and the subtle nature of the entire show gives the power and energy to the audience.
The night ended with the exact same finishers as the show in Ogden. The main set ended with “Apocolypse” much to everyone’s delight. Cigarette After Sex’s most streamed song brought the loudest ovation of the evening. As good as this song is on the album, it’s great live. And a perfect show for the end of the night. The band returned to play “Opera House” as their one-song encore. I truly believe that a huge portion of the fans didn’t think Cigarettes After Sex would return. Because many started filing out of the arena only to run back in to catch this final song.
Things seem to be moving in the right direction for Cigarettes After Sex. A sold-out arena show just a year after another sellout is an impressive feat. I think they’ll be able to stop by Utah anytime and they’ll have no problem bringing a crowd.