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

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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