The Beths at the Greek Theater in Berkeley

Auckland, New Zealand’s The Beths wrapped up their 3 night residency at Berkeley’s Greek Theater thanks in no small part to a Death Cab For Cutie/The Postal Service co-headlining run that absolutely backed the amphitheater on each night. Any jitters that The Beths may have had leading up to these series of shows were long past as they slide onto the stage and launched right into “Future Me Hates Me,” off of their 2018 debut.

The band’s harmonies soared through the Berkeley Hills as they moved right into “Head in the Clouds” from their critically acclaimed 2022 release, Expert in a Dying Field, as a giant inflatable trout popped up behind the band … peak absurdity that had the crowd in stitches but the band paid no notice. In fact it wasn’t until the band got around to introducing each other late in the set that the fish was even acknowledged, getting the honor of been introduced first. Keeping with the joke, drummer Tristan Deck then introduced Elizabeth Stokes as the “catch of the day.”

“Silence Is Golden” woke anyone up that may not have been paying attention — an up-tempoed grungy ripper of a tune juxtaposed against a plea for silence — “I’d burn the city to the ground to turn it down” — that perfectly teed up “Expert in a Dying Field” as the set closer.

Hugely popular in New Zealand, The Beths are clearly making their mark on the US with these Postal Service shows, unfortunately saying farewell to the tour on Friday at the Hollywood Bowl. As a parting gift, however, the band announced the January 12 release of a split 7″ with Car Seat Headrest on which they cover The Postal Service’s “Brand New Colon.”

Setlist

Future Me Hates Me
Head in the Clouds
Out of Sight
Happy Unhappy
Jump Rope Gazers
Silence Is Golden
Expert in a Dying Field