[lastfm]CAKE[/lastfm] entered the Ed Sullivan Theater calmly and coolly and took the stage in complete control of their Live on Letterman show. John McCrea hit his rockstar guitar pose and held us all in suspense for a brief moment before plucking the opening riff for “Frank Sinatra” on his acoustic guitar. It was on.

Before kicking into “Wheels” John and the guys took a moment to scan the balcony as if to take in the immensity of the situation. Few people have ever played a full concert from the legendary theater while also streaming it across the globe, but CAKE lived up to the billing, as the crowd sang along with “Wheels” and Vince DiFiore waled on the trumpet.

@radiodotcom I'm in #Fairbanks #Alaska watching #Cake #LiveOnLetterman. I think I'm the furthest!—
Pamm (@with2ms) June 29, 2011

CAKE followed with “Shadow Stabbing” before launching into what maybe the next CAKE classic, “Long Time.” The crowd grooved on it like it had been their favorite song for 20 years.  Following the rollicking ride on “Long Time,” John asked the crowd if they minded if they played another new one– the crowd went wild. Where most bands struggle to keep attention with new material, CAKE’s fans crave it. They rocked through “Bound Away” and “Mustache Man” like the were off a greatest hits album.

I love @Cakemusic like a fat kid loves cake!!! Cake Live on Letterman on CBS.com: http://soc.li/G15KBWR—
Erik Redinger (@beatnikred) June 29, 2011

John asked if it was all right if they just played one more new one, just because it was “so relevant,” and they kicked into “Federal Funding,” to the crowds delight. The guys were just having too much fun, so they once again begged to play another new song, also because it was again “so relevant,” and thus launched into “Sick of You.” But still, the crowd in the Ed Sullivan Theater and online went nuts for the new material. John arranged a crowd sing-along in canon for backing vocals as the guys jammed along.

Then it was time for the hits. The audience danced along with Gabe’s signature bassline on “Never There” and shouted out with John, as if they were angry for him. And then out came the vibraslap, and everyone knew what was next…

OMG! Cake is performing "Short Skirt/Long Jacket." Wooo! Cake Live on Letterman on CBS.com: http://soc.li/G15KBWR—
Chris Gallagher (@thoughtbeast) June 29, 2011

John pitted the crowd against each other, in rival “Na-na-na-na-na’s” and the energy overflowed into a frenzy. There was only one song that could follow, and you know exactly what it is: “The Distance.” CAKE capped an amazing show with a crushing performance on one of the most recognizable songs of the past 15 years.

You can watch an encore performance right here and check out the entire setlist below.

CAKE Live on Letterman Setlist

• Frank Sinatra
• Wheels
• Shadow Stabbing
• Long Time
• Bound Away
• Mustache Man
• Federal Funding
• Sick of You
• Never There
• Short Skirt, Long Jacket
• The Distance

Remember to comeback here for more on-demand content from CAKE Live on Letterman, presented by AT&T.