DCist took in three phenomenal bands on Monday night at the Black Cat. Midlake, Cold War Kids and the Sound Team played the backstage, much to our confusion, and they just may have put on the best show that little room has ever seen.

First up was Midlake, a five piece from Denton, TX that embrace interactivity as much as they do fancy instruments. Midlake’s been around for a while, gaining fans and success in Europe and slowly on the home front. The band came together as jazz students at the University of North Texas, training that’s very apparent in their musicianship. Their lo-fi sound was definitely the lightest of the night’s lineup, but wanted for nothing in the depth department. If you can imagine a meeting of Radiohead, the Flaming Lips, Keane and Fleetwood Mac, you’re on your way to Midlake’s overall sound.

As they performed songs from The Trials of Van Occupanther, just out this week, and some tracks from older recordings, music videos played behind the band. At first we were ready to declare them distracting! And disruptive! But the shorts were so intriguing, well done and funny, ranging from period pieces to dream sequences to animation, they won us over. Between this cinematic display and their army of beautiful guitars and collection of keyboards and synthesizers, we surmise that Midlake isn’t a band that’s terribly strapped for cash. Regardless of their bank roll, this is a band that has put together some wonderful albums, and put on a great show at the Black Cat. We’d happily go to see Midlake a second time.

Next on the lineup were Cold War Kids, a band we were seeing for the second time. When they thoroughly impressed us in Baltimore last month, we couldn’t wait to see these four Californians again. Modestly taking the stage, they started right into their set. These guys are everything that’s right about raw, bluesy, kinetic rock. They play as though their very lives depend on putting as much energy, emotion and sweat as they’re physically capable of into each note they deliver. While their bassist and guitarist stalk around the stage, writhing and shaking with the deep rhythms provided by drummer Matt Aviero, lead singer Nathan Willet owns the stage. Whether at the piano, picking up a guitar or standing alone at the mic, Willet’s eyes-closed, from-the-gut vocals pull all attention to the stage.

They say their sound, which reveals influences from surf rock to blues to hip hop, is the result of not knowing how to use pedals. We say never learn, because this band is doing something very right when they take the stage. Seeing Cold War Kids live gives you something above and beyond the normal concert-going feeling. When you see these guys, you feel like you’re witnessing something special. A great moment in rock and roll history, or at least, something you’re really happy to be a part of. And to top it all off, they’re nice, down to earth guys, who hung out in the Red Room until the bar closed, happily chatting with fans and inviting them to sit down for a beer.

Sound Team rounded out the bill, and tested the limits of the backstage’s capacity. With six members and a gaggle of instruments, it was amazing that these guys found room to dance while they delivered their layered, synth-laden songs. The band won my affections with their EP Work. “It’s Obvious What’s Happening Here” found its way onto nearly every playlist I made last fall. Their full length debut Movie Monster follows up with the experimental American sound they’re so good at. On Monday night, they were in high spirits and gave Cold War Kids a run for their money.

Everyone in the band was, quite clearly, really happy to be there, and loved the songs they were playing. The drummer’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”-era Dave Grohl hair whirred around his head, and keyboard player Gabe Pearlman appeared to be having a very spiritual relationship with the music. With so many keyboards and synthesizers, there was definitely a sense of religiosity – the kind of music you feel in your stomach as much as you do in your ears. The lead singer’s curly mop top and tight jeans paid homage to their home stage of Texas, while their sensibilities seem to be borrowed from other Austin natives like Spoon. They were very appreciative of and playful with the crowd, and played a full and satisfying set.

Though Cold War Kids stole the show, all three bands were truly remarkable. It was a very well orchestrated lineup, as their music works wonderfully together and they all seem to be pretty darn fond of each other. In our opinion, any one of these bands would warrant a headlining tour. Hopefully next time they come to town, they’ll have grown the main stage-sized following they each deserve.

Cold War Kids image by flickr user matthew.hickey