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For a band like Dance Gavin Dance, vocalists have come and gone, with three significant era’s taking place through their ten-year history. A decade anniversary is a big one in a world where too many bands are forced to call it quits in a tough industry. But instead of using this as an excuse for a tour. and predominantly playing music oFf their new album. Dance Gavin Dance have shown there’s no hard feelings by inviting previous vocalists Kurt Travis and Jonny Craig to join the current lineup, fronted by Tilian Pearson, to tour and show how they’ve progressed as a band.
An event like tonight comes just once in a lifetime for fans’ of a band; just when else can you hear all your favourite tracks sung by the original vocalist if they’ve parted ways? It did make for a slightly disjointed affair, having people come on and off the stage for their moments to shine, but this was a small price to pay to hear classics such as ‘Lemon Meringue Tree’ and ‘Tree Village’ get the reception that they deserve. It’s interesting to see the differences within the band when each vocalist comes on stage: while Craig and Travis have a different kind of raw energy, Tilian’s clean vocals make his delivery more varied, and the contrast between these experiences is fantastic.
There’s not a lot of space on the Underworld stage at the best of times, so things get a little cramped as avid fans grapple to the front only to mount the stage and jump back off again. Despite having released their seventh studio album Mothership earlier this year there’s very little time to pay homage to it, but that’s not what tonight is all about. Tilian has plenty of tracks to sing from his previous three records with DGD, including ‘Millionaire’ and ‘On The Run’. Although with a combined back catalogue spanning over five hours of music , the thirteen song set list does seem a little underwhelming for an event as significant as tonight.
It only seemed fitting to have all of the singers on stage for the encore, although it certainly got crowded and looked like they were all there to audition for an awkward group on X Factor. But for a special show like tonight any unusual feelings are swept away by overwhelming nostalgia and delight.
