The indie rock band, Cold War Kids, headlined the second annual “El Paso Forever” benefit concert Oct. 12 at the downtown Union Plaza.
The Because of You Fund and the El Paso Forever benefit concert were founded by El Paso native, Jim Ward, who is also the lead singer of the band “Sparta” and a co-founder of “At the Drive-In.”
The proceeds of the concert went to the Because of You Fund, part of the El Paso Community Foundation, which will help support an inclusive girls’ music camp planned for next summer called “You Rock!”
“It’s good to have support for female musicians; there aren’t many female musicians, so it’s good for girls interested in music,” said Sarah Martinez, 32, who attended the concert.
Local band “SleepSpent” was the first band to play at the concert and they had the crowd dancing with their upbeat music.
Members Joshua Mendoza and Austin North wore shirts in remembrance of the Walmart shooting victims. SleepSpent has been touring the past months to celebrate the release of their new single “Unstable,” which was released earlier last week.
El Paso’s neo-folk band “Emily Davis and The Murder Police” performed after SleepSpent.
The band penetrated the El Paso alternative music scene back in 2017 and have since then been touring nation-wide.
Their latest stint had them touring with the band “Bad Religion,” leading up to their performance at the El Paso Forever benefit concert. Emily Davis confessed that although she loved touring, she was glad to be home.
Headlining performers Cold War Kids, natives of Long Beach, California, broke into the indie–rock scene with the release of their debut album “Robbers & Cowards” back in 2006.
Since then, they have released five more albums and plan to release their seventh album Nov.1, titled “New Age Norms,” the first in a planned trilogy.
The band performed older songs from their earlier years as well as newer singles, such as “Complainer” and “4th of July” off their upcoming album.
The crowd went crazy when Cold War Kids performed their song “Hang Me Up To Dry” which is one of their most popular songs, released in 2007.
Lead singer Nathan Willett took a moment in the middle of the band’s energetic set to speak about the Walmart shooting that recently took place in the city.
Willett explained during the concert that, growing up in California, he felt a special connection with the Mexican American community and was saddened by the tragic event.
Cold War Kids then went on to perform a ballad followed by their song “Mexican Dogs,” written by the band during a trip to Mexico.
Cold War Kids ended their set by thanking the concert’s coordinators, sponsors and their fans.
“It was one of the best shows I’ve been to in a while,” said Oona Narvaez, 18, who attended the show with her friend. “I liked the location and the fact that it was outside. I liked the energy.”
Cold War Kids will continue their tour in promotion of their new album and will play in many cities across the country for the remainder of the year.
Paulina Spencer may be reached at [email protected].
