Geordie Greep05.11.25
Vancouver, BC
"Magnificent" is the one word I would use to describe this show. If you've listened to Geordie Greep's solo album, The New Sound, released last year coming off of the dissolution of black midi, you know it's a lay it all out there piece of theatre. His live show, which I caught at The Pearl here in Vancouver, somehow dials up that energy tenfold.
The chemistry with his band is just so palpable, and they seem to be having the time of their lives up there. And it truly is chemistry, because I really don't think this kind of cohesion can be manufactured or rehearsed into existence.
All the tracks played off of The New Sound took on a new life in this live setting, where each one became more of a jam session, one track melting into the next. Solos and improvisation anchoring each track. But the show really ascended when they hit "Holy, Holy", easily the most popular (and electric) track off the record. The crowd went totally berserk, moshing ensuing almost instantaneously, as if all the pent-up energy had just exploded like a cork popping from a shaken bottle.
Between all the chaos (the cameraman surfing the crowd being a highlight), there were moments of mesmerizing calm, the crowd intently listening to Geordie pour his soul into these tracks, or casually plucking at his guitar. The set clocked in at nearly three hours when it was all said and done. No wonder there was no opener. I haven't seen a headlining set this expansive since I caught The Cure in Montreal back in 2023.
I truly forgot where I was multiple times during the show, just lost in it all. Amazing stuff.
