The Radio Dept. wrapped up their tour w/ 2 NYC shows (video, setlists & Bowery pics)

The Radio Dept. just wrapped up their first North American tour in six years with two sold-out NYC shows, hitting Bowery Ballroom on Wednesday (3/8) and Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday (3/9) tour. On this trek, Johan Duncanson and Martin Carlberg were joined by a couple former Radio Dept. members -- Daniel Tjäder (who was also in Korallreven) on keyboards and Elin Almered on guitar, keyboards and drums -- making for the most fleshed-out lineup of the band I've seen live. Almered's presence helped enumerably and it was fun to see some live (syn)drums for once, especially on the dubby, Saint Etienne-ish "Never Follow Suit." Carlberg, who spent most of his time on bass, joined in on drums -- Peter Hook style -- on "We Got Game" and hammered the hi-hat for main set-closer "Occupied."

Last year's Running Out of Love was heavily favored on this tour with seven of its 10 songs played. They also played three songs from 2010's Clinging to a Scheme, "The Worst Taste in Music" (from Pet Grief), single "Death to Fascism," and night-closer "Why Won't You Talk About it?" from their debut LP. There was just a little variation between the two NYC shows. Bowery got "Always a Relief" and "1995" while MHOW got "Bus" and "Lost and Found."

Of the two NYC shows, they were both great, but Music Hall was the better of the two due to song selection, crowd response and the band being in an especially good mood. Singer Johan Duncanson was chatty (for a Radio Dept. show), cracking a few jokes and offering up intros to some of their songs. "This song is about hate," he said before launching into their Madchestery "Heaven's on Fire" which brought some laughter and cheers. "It really is, actually," he added. While never the most animated band on stage, the sound was impeccable and with the simple but effective light show, it was perfect for blissing out.

Setlists and a few videos from both nights are below and pictures from Bowery, including ones of opener Germans, are in the gallery above.

---

SETLIST: The Radio Dept. @ Bowery Ballroom 3/8/2016
Sloboda Narodu
Committed To The Cause
We Got Game
David
Never Follow Suit
The New Improved Hypocrisy
Always a Relief
Running Out Of Love
The Worst Taste In Music
Heaven's On Fire
Death To Fascism
Swedish Guns
Teach Me To Forget
Occupied

Encore:
1995
Why Won't You Talk About It?

SETLIST: The Radio Dept. @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 3/9/2016
Sloboda Narodu
Committed To The Cause
We Got Game
David
Never Follow Suit
The New Improved Hypocrisy
Bus
Running Out Of Love
The Worst Taste In Music
Heaven's On Fire
Death To Fascism
Swedish Guns
Teach Me To Forget
Occupied