Photojournalist: Sophia Bronwyn

Modest Mouse brought their An Eraser and a Maze Tour to St. Paul’s Palace Theatre, delivering a sprawling set that balanced the band’s more atmospheric moments with the energy and unpredictability that have defined their sound for decades.

The evening opened with the slower, atmospheric “Third Side of the Moon,” immediately setting a reflective tone for the night. Rather than rushing into the heavier or more familiar material, the subdued opening allowed the audience to settle into the mood before the band gradually expanded the performance into a much more dynamic set.

Spanning roughly 21 songs, the setlist offered a broad look at Modest Mouse’s extensive catalog, with a significant focus on tracks from An Eraser and a Maze. The band seemed determined to make the most of their time onstage, moving quickly from one song into the next and giving the impression that they wanted to power through as much of their catalog as possible before the night was over.

That approach meant there was less banter and interaction with the crowd than might be expected from some live performances, but it never felt as though anything was missing. Instead, the focus remained firmly on the music. The lack of extended conversation allowed the set to maintain its momentum, with each song becoming another part of the larger experience.

The four-song encore was a fitting conclusion to the night, extending the already lengthy set and giving the audience one more opportunity to get lost in the band’s music. Rather than feeling like a quick return to the stage, the encore felt like a final chapter to a performance that had already covered considerable ground.

The Palace Theatre itself added another layer of magic to the evening. With its ornate architecture and intimate atmosphere, the historic venue felt like the perfect setting for Modest Mouse’s expansive and often introspective sound. There was something almost immersive about watching the band perform in a space that felt removed from the outside world, allowing the audience to sink further into the music and become fully absorbed in the atmosphere they created.

Ultimately, the show felt less like simply watching a band perform a collection of songs and more like diving headfirst into the musical world of Modest Mouse. With a catalog as extensive and varied as theirs, the set offered a journey through different eras, moods, and sounds, allowing the music itself to take center stage. At the Palace Theatre, Modest Mouse didn’t need constant conversation to connect with the audience; their songs did that work for them.

With the An Eraser and a Maze Tour continuing through October 23, there’s still plenty of opportunity to experience it firsthand. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the new songs are well worth hearing live, especially within a set that invites you to dive deeper into the creative and ever-evolving world of Modest Mouse.

photos by Sophia Bronwyn