With a bittersweet, cinematic set full of gothic Americana and heartfelt new songs, Murder by Death mesmerized New Jersey on a sweltering summer night.
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On June 29th, a hot summer Sunday night in New Jersey, Murder by Death delivered a bittersweet, unforgettable show that proved just how beloved they are after all these years. The crowd eagerly packed into the venue, buzzing with anticipation.
At around 8:15, the show kicked off with a creative Star Wars–style opening: words scrolled up the backdrop, screen by screen, asking the crowd if they were ready and noting this was their 1899th show to the crowd’s applause. The energy in the room surged as the band finally took the stage. Before setting off on their first song, singer Adam Turla told the crowd to get ready for some “spooky, sad music.”
The crowd was ready for both. From the opening song, “Riders”, fans were dancing and singing along, and it didn’t let up from there. The band promised to play two songs from each of their ten albums — and they delivered. The setlist was a carefully curated journey through their catalog, from the gothic Americana of their early work to newer, more experimental tracks.
A pair of new songs off their latest record brought a sentimental vibe, especially the track “I Came Around,” which had the whole room swaying. Fans also got treated to the twangy country feel of “Natural Pearl,” and later a surreal, Spanish-flavored folk song called “No Matter Now”, which Turla explained came to him in a lucid dream — “a fucked-up weird story,” as he put it.
Some of the biggest crowd reactions came from tried-and-true fan favorites. “Until Morale Improves, the Beatings Will Continue” was a rowdy, stomping highlight early on, and “Comin’ Home” had people pulling out their phones to capture the moment. “Brother” was one of the most emotional moments of the night, its haunting melody and lyrics quieting the room. “Spring Break 1899” showcased the band’s cinematic style, building to a dramatic crescendo, while “Shiola”, which opened the encore, felt like an intimate, bittersweet farewell.
The band also threw in some deep cuts and live staples. “Lost River” and “Everything Must Rest” brought a lush, moody atmosphere, while “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs”, which Turla said is his favorite to play live, hit with gritty, visceral energy. The Depeche Mode–inspired “I’m Afraid of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and the cinematic “Pillars of Salt” kept the crowd hooked with their dramatic flair. Turla even shared a story about busking in Venice and writing one of their first songs on the canal, reminding everyone how far they’ve come.
By the end of the main set, the crowd erupted in applause and stomped their feet for an encore, the heat of the packed room no match for their excitement. Turla came back alone to thank New Jersey and give a heartfelt shout-out to Thursday, the band that took them on tour early in their career and helped put them on the map. He called it a pleasure and an honor, and the rest of the band soon joined him for two final songs.
They granted a fan request for “Pizza Party! (at Gloria Estefan’s House)”, which had the room laughing and cheering, before closing out the night with “Alas”, a raw and powerful track from their debut that left everyone buzzing with energy — a perfect capstone to a bittersweet, emotional evening.
Throughout 20 songs and a three-song encore, Murder by Death proved they can still rock hard while pulling on the heartstrings. The set pulled from every era of their career, touching on every album and reminding fans why this band has endured: they craft unforgettable stories in song, each one its little world to get lost in. On this night, the crowd didn’t seem to mind the summer heat one bit — they were too busy enjoying every minute.
For an electrifying and emotional evening, catch Murder by Death now on tour. Get more information on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
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Murder by Death Setlist
Until Morale Improves, the Beatings Will Continue
King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs
I’m Afraid of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Encore:
Pizza Party! (at Gloria Estefan’s House) – fan request
Listen to the setlist on Amazon music
About Murder by Death:
Murder by Death is an American indie rock band from Bloomington, Indiana, formed in 2000 by Adam Turla (vocals/guitar), Sarah Balliet (cello/keys), Alexander Schrodt (drums), Vincent Edwards (keys), and Matt Armstrong (bass). Initially named Little Joe Gould, they rebranded in 2001, drawing inspiration from a 1970s murder‑mystery film—an early sign of their affinity for cinematic themes. Their sound, often described as “Americana noir,” weaves gothic country, folk, post‑rock, and punk elements, anchored by Turla’s baritone voice and Balliet’s haunting cello.
Over the years, the band has released a string of ambitious concept albums, including Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them? (2003), In Bocca al Lupo (2006), Red of Tooth and Claw (2008), Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon (2012), Big Dark Love (2015), and The Other Shore (2018). Their ninth album, Spell/Bound, arrived on July 29, 2022, backed by a highly successful Kickstarter campaign—they raised over $440,000 through preorders. The record delves into darker, spacious, and cinematic territories, blending their signature noir aesthetic with warm, country‑styled and synth‑laden tracks.
Their latest release, Egg & Dart, came out on June 13, 2025, and is being hailed as perhaps their “most sad and beautiful” album yet. The Kickstarter campaign for it shattered their own records—raising over $750,000—making it one of the top music crowdfunding projects in history. Leading up to the album, they released the singles “Wandering” (April) and “Lose You” (May).
To support it, Murder by Death has embarked on what’s being billed as their farewell tour, hitting iconic venues like The Caverns (TN), Mr. Smalls (PA), and Thalia Hall (Chicago). The run of 34 US shows, continuing into the fall, features support from notable artists like Laura Jane Grace. Fans have praised the performances as “amazing,” citing a perfect mix of deep cuts and crowd favorites at their venues.
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