As it neared 8 p.m. last Tuesday night, eager fans piled into the Westcott Theater located in downtown Syracuse. In typical “indie kid” fashion, most audience members were sporting Chuck Taylors, shaggy hair cuts and facial piercings.

Despite its small and shabby outer appearance, the inside of the Westcott featured a massive standing area, confirming why it was one of the only stops on the band’s tour that wasn’t sold out.

After performances by openers As Tall as Lions and Twin Tigers, the lights dimmed, and fans excitedly awaited the main attraction. Finally, the missing animal from the popular “Wizard of Oz” saying stormed the stage.

A familiar electronic beat began to play as Minus the Bear started off the show with “Knights,” the single off their most recent album, “Planet of Ice.”

Hailing from Seattle, Wash., Minus the Bear has had a huge impact on the indie music scene. They have a truly distinct sound that combines indie-rock mixed with ambient elements and a unique combination of guitar taps and electronics. Since 2001, the band has released three EPs, four albums, an acoustic EP with a new track, and they have just finished recording their newest album, which has yet to be released.

While most headlining bands usually choose to play in front of a large mural with their name boldly sprawled across, Minus the Bear stood in front of a plain white sheet, proving they feel that their music is the most important aspect of their concert.

Barely speaking to the audience, Minus the Bear played through five straight songs without saying a word. Finally, before playing their new single “Into the Mirror” off of their upcoming album, lead singer Jake Snider acknowledged the crowd. Unfortunately, his only motive was to urge fans to purchase their new 7-inch vinyl that was on sale at the merchandise table.

Despite their lukewarm attitude and drunken stumbling, Minus the Bear played a great set, and brought fans back their earlier years by playing some of their oldest songs, including many off of their 2002 album, “Highly Refined Pirates.”

As the show continued, spellbound fans swayed along to the music, intently fixated on the five mysterious rock stars. Teenagers snickered as they passed around vodka-filled water bottles, and the smell of marijuana filled the air.

After announcing that they were about to play their last song, the sound of Dave Knudson’s signature style of guitar tapping filled the room, revealing one of the band’s breakthrough songs, “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse.”

As the song came to a close, Minus the Bear thanked the crowd, put down their equipment, and walked off of the stage. Fans shouted in a unified chorus for the band to play just one more song.

After a few minutes of silence, the band casually sauntered back on to the stage, causing the audience to go wild.

“Are you sure you just want one more song, because we can play two if you want?” Jake Snider asked the audience, with a huge grin on his face.

Minus immediately broke into “Spritz!!! Spritz!!!” followed by the song that made them famous, “Pachuca Sunrise.”

As the incredible set came to a close, a fan loudly shouted out “I want to have your babies!”

“You want our babies, man? Well, you can have them!” Snider responded as the crowd burst into laughter.

Although the stage was plain, and the performance a bit unenthusiastic, Minus the Bear’s unique sound and incredible choice of songs reinforced the idea that all a concert really needs to be successful is great music.