Best of Soundcheck: The New Pornographers; Carminho

What makes certain musical moments memorable? In the case of the Canadian indie rock band The New Pornographers, it’s a quarter of a century filled with inventive arrangements, power pop melodies, and striking lyrics that feel both abstract and relatable. And in the case of Portuguese fado singer Carminho, it’s a single, show-stopping moment in the film “Poor Things,” where all the action stops as she sings an aching song from atop a balcony. On this edition of Soundcheck, The New Pornographers play some tracks from their latest record “The Former Site Of,” while Carminho breathes new life into songs from her album, titled “Eu Vou Morrer de Amor ou Resistir: ‘I’ll die of love, or I’ll resist.’”

The New Pornographers' setlist: 1. Votive 2. Spooky Action 3. The Former Site Of // The New Pornographers are playing live dates in North American through October 2026

Carminho's setlist: 1. Canção à ausente 2. Lá vai Lisboa // Carminho is playing live dates in Europe now through fall of 2026