Converge/Sumac/Cult Leader – January 19th, 2018
The Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, BC
First off, let’s take a moment to admire how stacked this bill is, shall we? Any of these bands by themselves would be a fair reason to reconsider what plans you had, but together? You’d have to be an idiot to miss this.
It having been almost 3 years since Cult Leader stopped by to destroy the Red Gate, it was a treat to see them grace the stage at the Rickshaw in such noble company. While one might argue that there’s a degree of intimacy lost when contrasting a DIY space to one of the larger venues, I’d contend that their delivery wasn’t hindered in the slightest. Good on the attendees for already being present in significant numbers, these guys are definitely deserving of attention.
CULT LEADER
As the band on the bill that’s closest to being “local”, Sumac is by leaps and bounds the outfit that plays here the most frequently. This, however, doesn’t make them any less exciting to watch. I am yet to see this band play a disappointing set. Perhaps the most impressive thing about their performances – as I’ve come to notice – is the precision with which they play.
SUMAC
With respect to the fact that this was the first headlining show Converge has played in Vancouver in over a dozen years, it should be very unsurprising that this show sold out, especially considering the rest of the bill. I can’t deny that one of the things that I appreciated the most was that this show was held at my favourite venue in town.
Touring primarily in support of new release The Dusk In Us, on which the band continues to defy genre classifications in a style entirely their own, it shouldn’t exactly come as a shock that their set was heavy on the new material. Rest assured, a fair few tasty classics were played as well. Without a doubt my favourite Converge performance to date, there is something special about finally seeing one of your favourite bands at a venue you’ve become so familiar with. Favourite part of the show? Probably when vocalist Jacob Bannon announce that they’d be back later this year.
CONVERGE
I’ll admit the one successful stage dive amused me, even though it sure pissed off security.
