We Are The City @ The RIP Store -- 01/31/20

Earlier this month, We Are The City opened the doors to The RIP Store. In promotion for their new album, the space was meant to be a free work space open to the public, with tables, wifi, coffee, etc. But the space was also being used for not only their upcoming tour rehearsal, but also a few shows curated by the band. Local favourites like Hannah Epperson, Said the Whale, The Zolas, Brandon Wolfe Scott, and even Dan Mangan (and loads more) all stopped in to play intimate shows for up to 60-some-odd people. Now that the month had come to a close, We Are The City closed down the store with a pair of their own shows, celebrating the new album, RIP.

As the small space filled up and packed with bodies (and body heat), a projection of an Instagram livestream lit up the back wall, following the band as they made their way through East Vancouver right up to the venue, entering through the back, and hitting the stage. The trio of Cayne Mackenzie, David Menzel, and Andrew Huculiak were below a row of tube lights — sections of which illuminating each member and flashing in time to the music — as they kicked off with the soaring "Baptism", playing a selection of songs spotlighting the new album, as well as some old favourites.
And not only was the crowd singing along to a lot of those old favourites, but the new ones as well, despite the album only being out a week. They lamented on what would happen tomorrow for the quirky and incredibly catchy "You're So Clean", and yelled along to the titular chorus of the chaotic "Killer B-Side Music", sending tingled up the spine. Other highlights included the haunting “Dark Horizon”, from RIP's companion album AT NIGHT, and more singing along to "Friends Hurt"

Between songs the band told stories, joked around, and testing out a new thing they wanted to try: playing clips of a song between each of theirs. While they tuned and got ready for the next song, or just for comedic effect, they would turn up snippets of “Lady In Red" by the inimitable Chris de Burgh.
This, along with the loose banter from the band just helped bolster the intimate nature of the show, already evident by the small space of a few dozen people (many of which already knew each other and/or the band).

This intimacy was also evident as Cayne introduced the final song of the night, telling the heartbreaking story behind the album's title track "RIP". Originally written about their waning closeness with longtime friend Kyle Tubbs (of Fields of Green), his untimely passing while working on other songs for the album with the band gave “RIP” an entirely new meaning.
Nothing I can say here can aptly describe what followed, as Cayne’s strained voice, cracking with raw emotion, filled the silent room. The only sounds other than the song being soft sobs and sniffles as there was not a dry eye in the house — including Cayne, David, and Andy — for one of the most emotionally impactful moments I’ve ever experienced in live music.

It’s been a little over ten years since I first saw the band, and I’m constantly amazed how they just keep managing to get better & better, but also more and more creative. Not just with their music, but with the feature films, this store, with everything they do. And even though the album just came out… I can’t wait to see/hear/experience what’s next.

setlist
Baptism
Night Guest
Kiss Me, Honey
Friends Hurt
Obviously
You're So Clean
Dark Horizon
Keep On Dancing
King David
Killer B-Side Music
RIP

We Are The City @ Vogue -- 09/16/18

As this year’s Westward Festival wrapped up on Sunday, there was one more show I was eagerly anticipating: We Are The City headlining the Vogue Theatre. Especially since the band is just ahead of a brand new album (or two) and were promising to tease some new songs.

Unfortunately, I was running late, and got to the Vogue literally just as The Tourist Company was finishing their last song. But the second opener of the evening was Common Deer, who I had heard a few songs from on CBC Radio 3, and had been meaning to check out more from.

With vocals split between keyboardist Sheila Hart-Owens and Graham McLaughlin, who switched between guitar and violin throughout the set, their orchestral pop rang through the theatre. Songs ranged from the slower and haunting “Damages”, to the soaring and anthemic “Wait!”, and the rapid-fire vocals on “Mistakes”. They ended with “Fuckboi”, introduced as a song about, well, I think you can figure it out. The band had a good stage presence too, combined with the catchy songs made for a strong opener, and I am interested to see more from them in the future.

Not long after that, the whole stage went dark, before a single fluorescent tube of light flickered on, Cayne McKenzie holding it over his head for a creepy sounding intro song -- and a little creepy looking, with the light illuminating just his arms + head -- before he was joined the rest of We Are The City, by Andrew Huculiak and David Menzel as they burst into the gorgeous “Baptism”.

They ran through some old favourites, like “King David”, Cayne letting the crowd sing the chorus. “All My Friends” transitioned into “Happy New Year”, and that in turn segued seamlessly into Andy taking over vocals on “Dark/Warm Air”, going right into the audience before getting back on the drums for the song’s bone-rattling finish.

Among the new songs the trio played were the aptly-titled slowburner “Mid-Tempo Drama”, a gorgeous piano-driven song that I believe is called “Dark Horizon” and immediately became my new favourite WATC Song, and an absolute banger “Killer B-Side Music”, which saw the band at their most raw and explosive.

They played right up to the curfew, finishing off with the first single from the upcoming album, “When I Dream, I Dream of You”, not bothering with the whole faux-encore deal, for a fantastic ending that had the audience clamouring for more (Andy had to return to the stage to explain that had to be it, and we all had to get going to make room for the late show that evening).

I’ve seen We Are The City play live many times, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them as comfortable and effortless on stage as they were this night; Cayne’s dancing flourishes when not at the keyboard, Andy playing drums so hard he was frequently standing up, and even needed to swap out his stool, and David front and centre ripping on guitar. Even when chatting with the crowd, they were as much joking to each other as talking to the audience.

Their new album, At Night, is coming out in a couple weeks -- plus they’ve even hinted at a second new album before the end of the year -- and based on what I heard last night, I couldn’t be more excited to hear more.

We Are The City @ Biltmore -- 08/12/17

If you’ve noticed East Vancouver looking a little more colourful in the last little while, that would be thanks to the Vancouver Mural Festival. Over the last week, there have been over 50 new murals going up throughout Mount Pleasant by a variety of artists. And since it was spearheaded by David & Ambrosia Vertesi, you know there’s going to be a musical component as well. Louise Burns & Yukon Blonde played a free outdoor show in the afternoon, and in the evening was the Underplay concert series (with a tough decision of where to be).

Opening the night was The Tourist Company, though I only caught the last few songs. The band seems to have undergone some changes since I last saw them, with a slimmed down lineup and a bit of a different sound. Last I knew, they were more of a folk band, but they've replaced that with a more of an alt-pop, space-y and ethereal sound; perhaps fitting with their latest album being named Apollo, mentioning it was inspired by the space program.
The new album was released last year, and I hadn't checked it out yet (to be completely honest, I was never into their 'folk sound') but based on the couple songs I heard, I will have to give them another shot. 

On the days leading up to the show, We Are The City was promising a “loud and trashy” set, and as the trio kicked off with "Baptism" it quickly became clear they were not exaggerating. They played fast & loose through favourites like the frenetic "That's It, That's All", and the raucous "King David", while songs from the latest album Above Club, like "Sign My Name Like ƪƲƐƐƝ" sounded more raw than their album versions. 
To go along with the vibe of the songs, the band had an unparalleled energy; Cayne frantically hitting the keys between yelps, David rocking out on the guitar, and especially Andy wailing on his drums. I have seen very few drummers who play with more energy and intensity, and who are more animated than him. 
Matching the band's energy was the jam-packed Biltmore, who were singing along -- even when unprompted and to deeper cuts. Near the end of the set, after admitting he blew out his voice, Cayne enlisted in the help of everyone to fill in on the high parts of "Kiss Me Honey", and the crowd more than stepped up to the challenge. After that there was one more left, as they ended off the night with "Friends Hurt", complete with Andy diving into the crowd to surf, and the band leaving the stage one at a time before Cayne made it quite clear there would be no encore, by literally smashing his keyboard onto the stage.

It’s been a while since We Are The City played in Vancouver, especially a venue as intimate as the Biltmore, and everyone involved was glad to have them back. Word is they're finishing off a new album, and while they didn't preview it this night, if it has even half the energy that they shared, it'll be a good one. 

setlist
Baptism
Keep on Dancing
Bottom of the Lake
Legs Give Out
King David
That's It, That's All
Sign My Name Like ƪƲƐƐƝ
Dark/Warm Air
Cheque Room
Everything Changes
Happy New Year
Heavy as a Brick
Kiss Me Honey
Friends Hurt

Weekly Photo Roundup - March 16, 2016 ft. Smash Boom Pow, HIGHS, We Are The City

Weekly Photo Roundup for the week preceding March 16, 2016

Only caught one show this past week (again)(don't worry, April is going to be crazy), but it was a doozie: We Are The City performing to a PACKED house at the Imperial, with Toronto's HIGHS opening, along with a set by Smash Boom Pow. 
You can read out Kirk's written recap of this awesome evening of music by clicking HERE.

Check out the photos above and be sure to look at our Concert Calendar to see what is coming up in the future!

Photos by Christine McAvoy