Blonde Diamond @ The Cobalt -- February 11, 2023
With a brand new album out late last year, Blonde Diamond finally got to have their release show. And not only that, it was at the newly re-opened Cobalt, in East Vancouver (my first show there since the venue came back a couple months ago). They took the opportunity to throw a huge party, with Vancouver acts Black Pontiac and Human Girl opening, as well as performances from local drag queens Bluee Joy and Maria the Cleaning Lady.
With a sold out room waiting, Blonde Diamond took the stage, singer Alexis Young in a stark while suit & cowboy hat with fringe dangling from the brim, joined by the rest of the band, Malcolm Holt on drums, Bruce Ledingham on keys, and Louis Wu on guitar.
Kicking off with “Man With No Name” — the first song off of the new album Magnetic Strangers — the band was joined by backup singers Nashlyn Lloyd and Kelsey Brette for the first few songs. Their set spotlighted the new album, with songs ranging from the sweaty anthem “We Just Wanna Dance”, to the dark & cautionary “Red Flags”, and my favourite, “In the Dark”.
The entire band had an explosive energy, but especially Young, who hardly stood still for a single moment; dancing, joining bandmates, and even slowly losing articles of the white suit to reveal an all-black outfit underneath (why don't more indie shows have costume changes, I ask you?)
Aside from the new album, the band reached back through their catalogue, not just for songs like the haunting “Dark Place”, but stretching back to their time as Youngblood, with “Feel Alright”, Alexis right at the front of the stage “baptizing” anyone willing in the front row.
They also teased a new song, possibly called “I'm So Fucking Happy”, which was the first time I heard the uncensored version, since they were not performing in an all-ages festival setting.
Near the end of the set, Lloyd and Brette joined them again, as well as special guest guitarist Parker Bossley for the last couple songs, the sultry “Better When You're Close” and capping off with the final song from the new album, “Losing Control”.
As with the ‘old’ Cobalt, the new one still doesn't really have a “backstage”, so the band just hung out off to the side for a moment, before obliging the crowd's chant for one more song. Once again dipping back to their time as Youngblood, the night ended with “Easy Nothing”, Alexis' voice filling the room to build to a finish that somehow topped the intensity of the rest of the night.
Over the last few years, I've seen Blonde Diamond multiple times as either a supporting act or part of a festival; it's been a minute since I saw them headlining a show, and was worth the wait. The energy & power from the band, and moody lights & rolling fog on-stage fit their “what the 60’s thought the future would sound like” mantra perfectly. And hopefully the next time will come a lot sooner.
setlist
Man With No Name
We Just Wanna Dance
Red Flags
Dreamland
Strange Times
Dark Place
4am Eternal
Feel Alright
I'm So Fucking Happy
In The Dark
Better When You're Close
Losing Control
(encore)
Easy Nothing
