As an atmospheric river severed Vancouver and Vancouver Island from the rest of Canada with rising flood waters and a myriad washed out highways we were left wondering if City and Colour would be visiting our fair city for his two sold-out concerts.
Windstorms howled at 90 kilometres an hour across the Georgia Strait cancelling ferries, knocking out power and making it nearly unbearable to be outside in the rain. Treacherous road conditions and bad weather wasn’t enough to keep even the most seasoned Vancouver Islander concert-goer huddled inside.
Outside the Royal Theatre a touring semi-truck sat, that plainly said how we’ve all been feeling “the show must go on!”
The night opened with the warm and soft embrace of Vancouver-based indie folk singer, Marin Patenaude. Marin, echoed our sentiments for the weather we were currently dealing with by sharing the story of her and her bandmate’s tumultuous journey to the Island from Vancouver. In an almost comical fashion they were hit with several delayed ferries and roadblocks only making it to the venue minutes before their soundcheck.
Patenaude’s voice, delicate sounds and drawn out guitar tones lulled us into a safe space as the world around us seemed to be crumbling.
As the lights fell down on the Royal Theatre we were reminded of the last time we were in the room in early March 2020. It both seemed a lifetime ago and like no time had past since we were in the orchestra pit soaking in live music through the lens of a camera.
As soon as Dallas Green struck the first cord of Forgive Me it was clear he had complete control of the room. The overhead stage lights caught the pickguard of his guitar and his radiant smile while the a sea of people sang along to The Grand Optimist and Northern Wind.
The night was filled with deep cuts from his extensive City and Colour catalogue but it was singles like Sleeping Sickness, Two Coins, Lover Come Back and Comin’ Home/This Could Be Anywhere in The World that grabbed our attention. It was like momentary escapism with everything feeling almost normal and how it used to be.
Dallas clearly felt the same way as we did and ditched his usual stoic mystery for a refreshingly relaxed version of himself by making jokes and sharing antidotes. Maybe it had something to do with his tiger print Hawaiian shirt.
Dallas Green remains one of Canada’s premiere singer-songwriters by constantly outdoing himself with his live performances be it with a full backing band or just himself. Without a doubt we will be at his next show in Victoria – and hopefully he doesn’t leave Save Your Scissors off the setlist again.
