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.