My Thoughts:
Supporting Act #1 – Treasvre
I have seen Vision Video three or four times now, and I’ve never been disappointed with a single one of the supporting acts they have chosen. Treasvre is no exception. This San Francisco based goth rock outfit is too good to miss. If this tour hits your town, go. If you’re in San Francisco, see them there. If you ever see them on any bill anywhere, you should really check them out. They are a perfect example of goth music, in my opinion. Dark, moody, a little bit ethereal. As a live act, they are both entertaining and tight. This band sounds like they practice, practice, practice.
Supporting Act #2 – Panic Priest
Panic Priest is a Chicago-based one-person darkwave MACHINE. Ok, he’s not actually a machine, but…he’s really good. His work is super atmospheric and perfect for some stompy dancing. His vocals (baritone, if I know a single god damned thing about music aside from that I like it – but I really don’t know anything) are beautiful – managing to be soaring and haunting at the same time. I genuinely enjoyed watching Panic Priest perform.
The Main Act – Vision Video
Vision Video is always fantastic. I vowed several shows ago to ALWAYS see them when they come to whatever city/state I happening to be living in at the time. And I always will. Nobody can stop me. This stop on their tour, called the Death to Fascism tour, might be my favorite show I’ve been to yet. It was Dusty’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY – I HOPE IT WAS GREAT!), and it was overall just a really fun, really high energy show. As usual, the show was packed with insightful commentary on the current political climate, the horrors of the military industrial complex, and a primer on the joys and benefits of the humble balaclava.
Although I have to say out loud that I’m perpetually a little disappointed by the smallish turnouts at goth shows around the Twin Cities. I know Ground Zero doesn’t tend to hurt for clientele, so where are all these people any time there’s a show outside that venue? I just feel like the goth rock scene can’t be this small! It bums me out a little, if I’m going to continue running my mouth.
That being said, my favorite moment of Saturday’s show was Dusty’s call to action for the scene: don’t forget that we’re a COMMUNITY. Talk to each other. Make friends. Support each other. All the scenes here tend to feel really insular. Speaking as an outsider, they feel really hard to try to break into because nobody talks to people they aren’t already friends with. And I get it, I’m shy too. But we need to have each others’ backs. Shit’s really bad out there in the world right now, and I have a feeling we’re free-falling into something much, much worse.
So be nice to each other. Tell people you like their style (if you do, of course). If you see a GFM or a Mutual Aid request from somebody in the community, donate if you can. Yes, even if you don’t personally know them. Say ‘hi’ to each other. Something!
Ok, I’m sorry, I’ve finished ranting.
But to get back to what should have been the point here, see Vision Video when and if you can. They’re fantastic.
And you can check out my review of their Fangoria-presented video for In My Side here, which is a fabulous song, and a rad music video (I have the video embedded in that post if you want to check it out).
