On November 16, 2024, Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre hosted an electrifying sold-out night of music, featuring a headlining performance by Death From Above 1979 and a fiery opening set from Washington D.C.’s fuzz-punk duo, Teen Mortgage. This unforgettable evening reminded fans of the raw power of live music and the magic of intimate, high-energy performances.
Teen Mortgage
Teen Mortgage wasted no time setting the tone for the night. The duo, made up of guitarist and vocalist James Guile and drummer Ed Barakauskas, hit the stage with an unapologetic ferocity that electrified the room. Their gritty, fuzz-laden sound created a wall of noise that was both chaotic and meticulously controlled, enveloping the audience in their raw energy.
Guile’s snarling vocals paired with his relentless, feedback-driven guitar riffs perfectly complemented Barakauskas’ thunderous drumming, which seemed to drive each song with a sense of urgency. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable; they played as though they were engaged in a musical duel, feeding off each other’s energy and pushing the limits of what a two-person band could achieve.
Tracks like “Falling Down” and “S.W.A.S.” resonated with a visceral intensity, with fans at the barricade losing themselves in the noise and rhythm. Teen Mortgage didn’t just perform; they created a dialogue with the audience through their unfiltered, almost confrontational style. The crowd’s response was immediate and enthusiastic—headbanging, fist-pumping, and cheering them on as though the band were long-time favorites rather than newcomers to the Vancouver stage.
By the end of their set, Teen Mortgage had firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to harness the rawness of punk while injecting their unique sound left an indelible mark on the audience, who buzzed with excitement as they waited for the main act. It’s clear that Teen Mortgage isn’t just an opening act—they’re a band poised for much bigger stages and even louder applause in the future.
Death From Above
As the lights dimmed and anticipation hit its peak, Death From Above 1979 took the stage to thunderous applause, ready to mark the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album, You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine. The Toronto-based duo—Sebastien Grainger on vocals and drums and Jesse F. Keeler on bass and synths—delivered a masterclass in dance-punk, blending nostalgia with electrifying showmanship.
The moment Grainger hit the drums and Keeler’s bass reverberated through the venue, the crowd erupted. There’s something hypnotic about the band’s ability to fill every corner of a room with sound despite their minimalist setup. Keeler’s intricate, distortion-heavy bass lines created a symphony of noise that meshed seamlessly with Grainger’s pounding rhythms and soaring vocals.
The setlist leaned heavily into tracks from You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine, much to the delight of longtime fans. Songs like “Romantic Rights” and “Black History Month” transported the audience back two decades, evoking memories of sweaty club nights and the band’s meteoric rise in the early 2000s. But it wasn’t all nostalgia—DFA1979’s performance had a vitality that made these songs feel as fresh and relevant as ever.
Visually, the show was just as striking. The lighting design was a spectacle in itself, with synchronized bursts of color and shadow adding dramatic flair to the band’s raw, visceral sound. The interplay of lights and music created an immersive experience that drew the audience deeper into the performance, enhancing the emotional resonance of the songs.
A standout moment came when a group of fans near the stage raised a banana in the air, sparking laughter and a playful exchange between the band and the crowd. This humorous touch added an element of camaraderie and spontaneity, underscoring the communal atmosphere of the evening. Fans weren’t just spectators; they were active participants in a shared celebration of music and memory.
By the end of the night, the Vogue Theatre felt like it had been transformed into a time machine and a dance floor all at once. Grainger and Keeler gave everything they had, leaving the crowd buzzing with the exhilaration only a truly exceptional live performance can provide.
Final Thoughts
This night at the Vogue Theatre was more than just a concert—it was a testament to the enduring power of live music to unite and inspire. Teen Mortgage proved themselves to be rising stars, delivering a ferocious opening set that left the audience craving more, while Death From Above 1979 reminded everyone why they remain icons of the dance-punk genre two decades after their debut.
From the raw grit of Teen Mortgage to the polished chaos of DFA1979, the night was a celebration of sound, energy, and the unique connection between artists and fans. Both bands left an indelible mark on Vancouver’s music scene, with the audience already eagerly awaiting their next return.
Death From Above 1979
Leave a reply