There's something uniquely fitting about Commodore Ballroom hosting a band like Dayseeker. The venue's famous sprung dance floor practically breathes with the crowd, and on Monday night, it carried the emotional weight of the Pale Moonlight Tour from the first note to the last encore-worthy scream.
The Commodore Ballroom is memorable for many reasons. This past Monday was committed to memory by the rhythmic bouncing of sold-out metalcore breakdowns. Returning to Vancouver for the first time since their previous run through the city in support of Dark Sun, Dayseeker arrived noticeably bigger — not just in attendance, but in confidence.
Bringing their sidekicks all the way from Australia, Northlane played an excellent role in filling the room long before Dayseeker took the stage. Dynamic lighting and a concise setlist led to a memorable time, but in the end the night belonged to Rory Rodriguez.
With the nearly black room, heavy fog, and accent lighting, Pale Moonlight slowly took over the room. Appearing from the shadows in a long jacket and sunglasses, the audience erupted.
Rodriguez's vocals were the standout of the night. Clean passages carried with near studio-level clarity, while the heavier moments hit with more aggression than longtime fans may have remembered. The band performed with an effortless flow, sticking largely to the hits — and still left time for a cover of "The Ghost Of You" by MCR.
The night was a 10 out of 10 experience. A sold-out show that could have done two nights highlighted the re-ignition of love in the Pacific Northwest.