12 November 2023 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words by Cody-James Henderson – pictures by Bec Harbour
Very few individuals across the industry of Rock and Metal tend to transcend that of their own project (or multiple projects for that matter). Not everyone can be a Mike Patton, a Slash, a Lemmy or even a Les Claypool. But the beauty of them is that there is only one. Just like there is only one ‘Devin Townsend’.
Across 3 decades, the all rounded Townsend has been a pinnacle of all things heavy and abrasive in the music industry. Never one to take it slow, Townsend recently released his 28th career album (across all projects) Lightwork in November of 2022. The Strapping Young Lad himself has ventured to Australia for his first tour here since 2019 and it’s safe to say, it’s been well overdue for some.
Whilst familiar with the name I must be honest with you, the reader. I have never really listened to Townsend before this night (please hold your stones of judgement for the time being) I have always been told how the force of Devin is something that must be experienced if you’re any kind of fan of heavy music. I of course, have elected to experience first hand just what’s in store and what I have been missing out on. So if you’re not disgusted in me and are still reading this, come a long with me as the show gets underway.
Australian prog legends Caligula’s Horse have been lucky enough to support Townsend on the East Coast run of the tour. A special night for two reasons. The first being they’re supporting a personal icon of theirs. The second is playing a sold out show to over 1000+ people in their hometown. Even 15 minutes before stage time, the crowd has packed this place to the rafters.
Caligula’s Horse – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Catching everyone off guard by running a few minutes early, the room was ecstatic to say the least to see the hometown quartet. There was no merch line, a tiny bar line & no one outdoors. It’s such a rare occurrence to see the audience so drawn in by a support act. Even if we disappointed them by being less enthusiastic than Sydney. (Thanks for giving us a second chance to redeem ourselves there)
To say this was tight performance would even be an understatement to just how good Caligula’s Horse are. Even if the sub drops would shake the room and drown out the sound for a few seconds, there was a spectacle unfolding before our eyes. Vocalist Jim Grey was commandeering even in the most beautiful of moments. From a belting cry to a falsetto high, there was no taking away just how much this drove home an already incredible performance.
The band recently released their latest single ‘Golem’ on November 10th (as well as announcing their 6th studio album Charcoal Grace set for release January 26th 2024), and if you haven’t had a chance to hear it yet I suggest you check it out. Because if the live performance is anything to go off, it’s a contender for ‘Metal Track of the Year’.
The expectations of an opening band are to prepare the audience for the main act or to colloquially put it ‘warm up the crowd’. What Caligula’s Horse did however, was set the bar high for Devin Townsend to follow. A true message to anyone paying attention that opening the show doesn’t mean you can’t deliver a headline performance.
Throigh ambience and lowlight, 9:00pm on the dot, the man of the hour made himself known. The 50 year old self described “Nerdy Canuck” made sure to introduce the ever talented backing band and thank the audience before even hitting a string. The most Canadian thing I’ve ever seen at a show.
Devin Townsend & band – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Taking us into the world of Lightwork to start the night, the soundscape of a beautiful morning is bathed with incredibly empathetic, almost operatic vocal work that powers over the 1000 strong singing it right back. But the beauty turns to chaos as we emerge into ‘Kingdom’. Safe to say the audience was really wanting to hear this one. Within seconds, I could see the photographers disappear into a sea of headbangers hair. I loved every second of it.
Townsends onstage character is a testament to just how great his craft is. Any chance he gets, he’s off to any point in the stage making conversation with the front row, waving to the balcony crowds all whilst having the most genuine smile I have seen from a performer in a very long time.
Combating a technical difficulty with his “Uma Theremin” (albeit whilst screaming “My $300 toy is broken”) Townsend makes the most fun out of a bad situation, seen laughing and joking about something completely out of his control. The contrasting nature between aggressive performance and empathy to a ‘tired object’ that he relates too, you have to admire the non doom and gloom attitude of Townsend. Sometimes things just don’t work, if you don’t let it take away from your performance, no one will bat an eye.
Devin Townsend & band – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
As I took to the balcony to gain a stronger vantage point during ‘By Your Command’ I could feel the floor beneath me beginning to shake. I’ve seen many a show here, not once have I ever felt the floor beneath me move. I was convinced Devin himself was moving the building by the power of his voice alone but it’s safe to say the sound engineers hadn’t accounted for just how intense the sun drops would be once again. Even in his more calmer moments throughout the set, you were never getting less than 100% in terms of effort.
At the start of the show, Devin announced that this would most likely be his last show for a year, maybe a year in a half. In any situation after being around for as long as Townsend has, you could just dial it in and get to that eventual holiday and time away from it all. But not Devin. You’d almost believe this was the first show of the tour, that he was ripping and roaring at the gates and ready to take anything down that’s in front of him. I hope to have that energy when I reach my fifties. Hell I’d be happy to have half of it.
The Strapping Young Lad tracks whilst incredibly energetic were completely drowned out by overpowering low end sub tracks and kick drums. It was hard at time to distinguish particular parts of songs without dealing with just pure vibrations. But it was a hell of a rush. Definitely some records I’m going to need to check out.
Devin Townsend – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Whether you’re solely a Devin Townsend Band fan, a Devin Townsend Project fan, a Strapping Young Lad fan or just a fan of Devin Townsend himself; this was the tour for you. It was the combination of so many worlds that created an entirely new universe for so many generations to be a part of. And I feel privileged to have been a part of it.
Townsend went on record tonight to say that even after 30 years “he doesn’t know anything” but to that I say, what a lie. Because what he does know is how to put on one of the most charismatic, career defining and awe inspiring shows that Brisbane has ever seen.
If you remember at the start of this novel, I was yet to experience Devin Townsend as anything more than just a name. After tonight, I want so much more.
