BeatRoute Magazine [AB] print e-edition - [May 2018]

PRVIS, Slenderbodies
The Palace (Calgary)
April 26
A provocative light show at The Palace in Calgary was the perfect
pairing to monochrome goth pop band PVRIS, who performed to an
intimate crowd on April 26. They were accompanied by L.A.-based
indie pop duo Slenderbodies and local Calgary collection, The Path Less
Travelled.
PVRIS’ metalcore roots were on full display throughout the set
as lead vocalist Lynn Gunn belted out hits from their most recent
record drop, All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell. The band’s
precise genre is a bit difficult to place, but their downplayed aesthetic
performance and haunting lyricism harkens to the likes of women-led
acts like Evanescence and Flyleaf. PVRIS’ strength come in their intimate
connection with fans, coupled with an accessible sound that conveys a
lot of depth, neatly packaged together in a performance that could best
be described as goth pop.
The all-ages show featured the expected teenage crowd, but a
surprising collection of university-age attendees, couples and hip Dads
could also be seen bobbing along to PVRIS’ singles. The diversity of the
band’s fanbase is impressive considering their first record was released
just four years ago. Since then, Gunn has been a vocal advocate for the
LGBTQ+ community and her awareness for social activism is evident in
the band’s universal lyricism.
After hovering on older hits like White Noise’s “St Patrick,” Gunn
took to the drum kit for “Walk Alone.” Gunn’s musical talent was on
display as she seamlessly transitioned between instruments, moving
from the kit to lead vocals, and later taking up guitar and keyboards.
The band opted for 2014’s My House to close out the set, but cries
for more from the dedicated crowd coaxed them back to the stage for
one final song. Gunn got the crowd to clap along as she growled to
drum-heavy “No Mercy” from All We Know of Heaven… The energy
from the crowd swelled as Gunn held out her hands to fans and drummer
Justin Nance tossed his sticks to the audience.
Their final song left the crowd begging for more, and after seeing
the quality of this comparatively new band on stage, it’s clear that they
won’t be the only ones waiting to see what PVRIS has in store.
• Emilie Medland-Marchen
photo: jedmund
The Wrecks, The Maine, The Technicolors
The Den (Calgary)
April 10
The anticipation for The Maine course to hit the stage was high
last week at The Den when The Wrecks of Los Angeles stepped
into the fluorescent blue lighting. Uniformly clad in denim and
leather, the five boys eagerly grabbed their instruments and let
it fly. Thanks to their efforts, the packed show was anything
but a freeway pile-up, as they began bouncing around the
crowded stage full of passion and energy, inciting the crowd to
join in a school’s out end-of-semester shakedown.
Lead singer Nick Anderson leapt from the stage for an
impromptu mid-pit performance of “Turn It Up.” This was
much to the delight of the few members of the Robot Army
(a.k.a. The Wrecks’ legion of followers) in attendance. One
described the moment as different and unique as compared
to other band’s sets, “It made the experience more intimate.”
The show turned into a karaoke session when Anderson
started waving a tambourine to play their cover of Jet’s “Are
You Gonna Be My Girl,” encouraging the audience follow
along.
Dragging the reluctant spirit of springtime into the spotlight,
The Wrecks filled the room with their stage presence
and magnetic personality while priming concertgoers for a
taste of headliner The Maine’s Arizonian alt-rock musicality.
Not only did the L.A. outfit make a point of interacting with
the crowd, but also their connection with one another as
bandmates was on full display for all to witness. Just goes to
prove that, if you mix some anthemic and catchy rock music
with five good looking and talented dudes, you have the recipe
for a great Tuesday night to get away from the mid-week
slump.
• review and photo: Mackenzie Mason
BEATROUTE • MAY 2018 | 61