DeKALB | A barricade of music listeners was visible Monday night, blocking the entrance of the House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, before the Mates of State and Starlight Mints’ show.

John Ugolini of Kickstand Productions stared at the snake of indie enthusiasts that reached past the Egyptian Theatre.

“300 [people], sold-out,” said Ugolini regarding the House’s capacity crowd. More than half of the evening’s ticket allotment was sold before doors opened at 8 p.m.

Mates of State’s whimsical husband-and-wife duo sang its words along with the audience.

“This is what it’s like on a fantasy,” sang organist Kori Gardner and drummer Josh Hammel.

After sorting out some mixing kinks, Mates of State was ready to play through a diverse set representing its extensive discography.

The vocals of Gardner and Hammel blended suitably, creating subtle harmonies and romantic themes.

Visually the two-piece clashed in appearance with Gardner’s flowing blonde hair and her husband’s contrasting precise black tuft. The cohesion between the two was similar to the marriage of their instruments.

Songs from this year’s Barsuk Record’s release, “Bring It Back,” appeared to be the most familiar to the crowd, as the audience sang along with every word to tracks such as “Running Out” and “Fraud in the 80s.”

Only a few water breaks and a pronunciation lesson of “DeKalb” slowed the couple during the evening’s 12 songs.

Oklahoma’s indie orchestra, Starlight Mints, gave ticket holders 10 songs to savor. The quintet took the stage playing a synth-tastic modern tribal song revolving around an impulsive beat. Throughout the set the Starlight Mints sounded like a complete ensemble, regardless of just its five members.

Keyboardist Marian Love Nunez shook her headphone-wearing head in tempo with Allan Vest’s wooing vocals. Strings, maracas, tambourines and a flute made appearances throughout the band’s 40-minute set.

Colorful meter lights illuminated the dense stage. The band’s western roots were heard through wagon rolling drums and brisk strums.

The first of the Barsuk bands ended on a high note with organs fading in the background.

Adrian Finiak is a music critic for the Northern Star.