For the last few years, I've thought that during the Rifflandia weekend in Victoria, enough bands pop over and do shows in Vancouver that we could probably just have our own festival the same weekend. Well, clearly someone had the same idea, because this weekend was the first ever Westward Festival, spanning 4 nights and several venues in the city.
There were a few shows to choose on the Friday night, but I decided to go with Dear Rouge at the Imperial.

I wanted to try and catch a bit of opener Little Destroyer, but the combination of arriving late and them playing a shorter set (I guess) led to me only catching just the tail end. But even just that one song was packed with so much energy that I instantly regretted not being able to show up sooner.

Soon after that, it was time for Vancouver's own Dear Rouge to return home. I feel like, aside from various collaborative or cover nights, I hadn't seen them play a proper set in a long time, so I was looking forward to hearing what Danielle & Drew McTaggart have been up to.

Backlit by a giant LED board with fog swirling around them, they started off with some fan favourites, the title track from their latest album Black to Gold, and a crowd singalong for "Best Look". They focused mainly on that album, with other highlights being a slowed down, and almost trip hop flavoured version of "Nostalgia" and the simmering intensity of "Wanna Wanna".
But along with the old favourites, they also teased some new stuff, including a sultry jam named "Motion" and a couple of my favourites of the set; a dark and slightly gritty tune "Live Through The Night", and a badass song that I believe was called "Boys and Blondes" which had to have been inspired by the likes of Peaches. Judging by the preview of the new stuff, I am really looking forward to a theoretical new album.

They had a great stage presence, Drew ripping on guitar and especially Danielle who danced and stalked around the stage, her voice soaring over the crowd as she effortlessly got everyone singing, clapping, or stomping along. I still remember the first time seeing them, thinking that had huge potential but were still a little raw (but, then again, they quickly went on to win the Peak Performance Project, so what do I know?) and literally every time I've seen them since, I've liked them more and more.

setlist
Black to Gold
Live Through The Night
Best Look Lately
We Don't Fit
Kids Wanna Know
Motion
Little By Little
Wanna Wanna
Nostalgia
Stolen Days
Boys and Blondes
Tongues
(encore)
I Heard I Had