Nekrogoblikon brought their 20th-anniversary fall tour to Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre on Tuesday, October 6, with a giant inflatable goblin head, beach balls and plenty of between-song antics.
TRUENT opened, followed by Cyborg Octopus and Rivers of Nihil. All three brought energy to the night, but Cyborg Octopus were my favourite of the openers: upbeat and a lot of fun. Saxophone featured in both their set and Rivers of Nihil’s, a highlight of the support bill.
Nekrogoblikon closed the night with an interactive set, and the pit really took off as their performance began. Most of the crowd was respectful, even as things grew more hectic on the floor.
I was most happy to hear "This Is It" and "Bones", both from the band’s 2022 album The Fundamental Slimes and Humours. The set felt like a best-of, offering an introduction for newer listeners and a thank-you to those who had followed them for years.
Mascot and singer John Goblikon kept the entertainment going between songs. Crass jokes, staged antics with bandmates and crew, and onstage banter were woven through the performance, with the giant inflatable goblin head adding to the spectacle. The bits stretched out the evening, making the stage time feel substantial beyond the songs themselves.
The band used plenty of smoke, including a smoke gun aimed into the crowd. It was particularly noticeable on the floor. Around two dozen band-branded beach balls joined the action overhead, adding another layer of chaos and, once deflated, a few souvenirs.
The set ran through an encore, but the interaction did not end with the music. Afterwards, performers stayed to sign merch and chat with fans. They were welcoming and willing to have a conversation. After all the staged chaos, the night ended with people sticking around to talk.