Said the Whale are doing things a bit backwards. Instead of releasing a new album and then touring, the Vancouver band is road testing their new material on a cross country tour. Billed as "An Evening With Said the Whale" the shows consist of two separate sets; one with deep cuts and brand new material, and after an intermission, a "regular" set from the band.

They were joined by David Vertesi, pulling double duty filling in on bass and also opening the show with his own "sad dad cruise ship" songs. Which is both the name of this new album and the genre he proudly claims as his own. Vertesi was on stage alone, just his smooth baritone and heartfelt songs off both his albums, like the endearing "Gentlemen Say" and "Loud Talker" (which, sadly, seemed like instructions to some people at the back of the venue). David chatted with the crowd between songs, joking that we were here for the birth of the next big genre (the aforementioned 'Sad Dad Cruise Ship') and urging people to pick up his album at the merch table with his "pay what you can" model.
Vertesi also pulled out a cover that has become a staple to his sets, earnestly introducing it as a song that meant a lot to him growing up, "Say You'll Be There" by Spice Girls. Every time I've seen him play the cover, it gets a nice reaction and a singalong, and this night was no different. He ended the short set with "Mountainside" one of the catchiest songs about a doomed relationship you'll hear, promising he'd see us sooner than we think.

Not long after, the theme from Rick and Morty blared (to the delight of at least two people) as Said The Whale emerged for the first of their two sets, energized by the sold out, hometown crowd in the intimate venue. They launched straight in to "We Are 1980" off '012's Little Mountain before diving back for older songs and deep cuts; "Plans for the Future" and "Live off Lamb" from Howe Sound/Taking Abalonia, and especially "False Creek Change" being particularly poignant on this 30th anniversary of Expo '86, with Ben Worcester admitting he almost teared up while singing that song since it doesn't really have the same meaning or get the same reaction as their played it across the country.
Halfway through the set they shifted into some brand new songs, talking a little about each. "Fucks To Give" -- a "mini rock opera" as Tyler Bancroft explained, about unrequited love -- was a stand out, as well as a song I didn't catch the name of dedicated to a friend they had lost. The newer songs seemed a bit heavier and denser, both in sound and thematically, which culminated with the final song of the first set. Tyler introduced "Miscarriage" opening up about his own personal experiences with the subject, with the song starting off a slower heartwrencher, that shifted to an almost prog-influenced finale. An intense song, and easily one of the best songs they played that night.

After an intermission, they were back for set number two, the darker and synthy "Resolutions" kicking it off. This set was a much more "traditional" Said the Whale set, as they still pulled from all their albums, but this time hit more of the singles and fan favourites, with upbeat and rollicking songs like "The Light is You" and "Emerald Lake, AB". Another highlight was the emotion-dripping "Love is Art/Sleep Through Fire", a favourite of mine and, if the reaction was any indication, many others in the room as Tyler and Ben harmonized on a note they held for a preposterously long time.
They broke out hit singles like "I Love You" and "Camilo (The Magician)" close to the end of the set before finishing off with "Goodnight Moon", another favourite, the lullaby building to a joyful ending and Tyler rocking out as hard as one can on a ukulele.

Of course, no one believed they were really done as they came back for a few more, including one last personal favourites, "My Government Heart" as Tyler spat out the lyrics through grit teeth. And after Ben fielded an impromptu Q&A from the (probably drunk) dudes at the side of the stage, they ended with one last tearjerker, getting nearly the entire room first silent, and then singing along to "Curse of the Current" letting everyone into the spring night.

It's been a while since I have last seen Said the Whale doing a "proper venue" show, a couple years at least, and it was great to see them on top of their game. Plus, the new music sounded strong and I look forward to hearing it recorded.

Setlists:

David Vertesi
Soft Skin
Gentlemen Say
Loud Talker
Waterways
Say You'll Be There
^[Spice Girls cover]
Mountainside

Said The Whale
(set two)
Resolutions
Out On The Shield
On The Ropes
BC Orienteering
Narrows
The Light Is You
Emerald Lake, AB
Loveless
Love is Art/Sleep Through Fire
Black Day In December
I Could Smoke
I Love You
The Reason
Camilo (The Magician)
Goodnight Moon
(encore)
Mother
My Government Heart
Curse of the Currents

Said the Whale
(set one)
We Are 1980
Plans For The Future
Live Off Lamb
O Alexandra
Big Sky, MT
False Creek Change
Step Into The Darkness
Fucks To Give
Out Of My Skin
[new song]
[new song]
Miscarriage