Metal at its most powerful and emotionally compelling
Devin Townsend is an artist whose music generates a real emotional pull across metal and progressive audiences, and wider. At the end of his recent Glasgow gig, we heard a really touching story that illustrates this so well. A fan described how his girlfriend was desperately hoping that Devin would play Kingdom, her favourite song. It didn’t appear until the end of the set, and he described that his girlfriend was so moved, that she was in tears throughout the song. That's the emotional power that characterises not only Devin's music, but also his very special relationship with his audience.
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So it is on a cold spring night in Glasgow, drenched in torrential rain, that the Devin Townsend Project play a completely sold out show at the O2 ABC, as part of a strong line up, that includes Periphery, and blackjazz innovators, the sublime Norwegian Shining. With thanks to Lewis Allen for all the gig photos.
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After a completely surreal collage of Devin as famous characters from Film, TV, Art and History, on the onstage screen, we have a message from the completely awesome Ziltoid, and then Devin and band explode onto the stage. It's impossible not to sense the immediate connection between Devin and the Glasgow audience, with a palpable sense of joy to see him, hanging in the air. The multi layered sound on the first number, which is largely instrumental, shows just how good a band the Devin Townsend Project are. Each of the musicians are stand out players without exception, and there is an almost telepathic musical communication between them all. At the conclusion of the first number, Devin exclaims ’Oh my god guys, you are fucking awesome, you are applauding like it’s the final number!'.
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The set is full of great musical contrasts, with Storm, played for Devin’s wife…‘All the commitment shit takes a lot of time, you have to keep it up’, having the most beautiful vocal rendition of the evening. This is followed by the jaunty and danceable Hyperdrive, with Ryan Van Poederooyen’s infectious and fantastic drumming, creating a completely irresistible rhythm. At the end Devin complements a completely smitten Glasgow audience with ‘You guys are really cool and loud’.
Rejoice from the most recent album Z2 - Sky Blue is a rousing number, and Devin sings the refrain of ’rejoice’ with the most incredible passion. A New Rein, another quality track from the last album, has Devin combining three distinct voices in one song. One an almost operatic voice, another a soft and sustained voice, and the third a great metal scream. The blend of these voices is a completely immersive and atmospheric experience live.
Before launching into Lucky Animals towards the end of the set, Devin instructs the audience on how to show their 'jazz hands' during the song's chorus. It's quite a sight to see the audience raising on mass their jazz hands, and completely on cue, during the chorus. A special treat is Jorgen from Shining joining the band onstage during the song, complete in monkey head, to produce some fabulous squalling saxophone soloing.
By this time in the set, the band are all smiling at each other on stage, and no wonder, this is thrilling and utterly conquering music. Devin at this point addresses his audience very directly, 'I was being interviewed earlier today and I was asked about the connection with the audience….’. Devin goes on to explain, with humour and warmth, from this question he was asked by your very own Room Thirteen earlier, the completely ‘symbiotic’ relationship he feels with his fans. Another very touching moment.
Ih-Ah sung solo, sees the Glasgow audience, complete with lighters and mobiles in the air, incredibly able to sing every word with Devin. During the song spontaneous applause breaks out…and yes ‘symbiotic’ is the only word to describe this amazing connection between artist and audience. The last number is the deeply moving yet joyous Kingdom, at which the mosh pit opens up, and the audience completely let go, with the crowd surfers floating effortlessly to the front. As the song finishes, a spontaneous chant and clap starts up from the audience, ringing through the venue with 'Devin...Devin...Devin!'. The hero of the night stays on the stage clapping the audience, and even thanking individual members of the audience. This is Metal at its most powerful and emotionally compelling. A triumphant and very special gig, in every way!
To view all photos taken during this set click here. There are 5 available.