HEADLINER: DEVIN TOWNSEND
SUPPORT: CALIGULAS HORSE
DATE: NOVEMBER 12TH 2023
VENUE: THE TIVOLI
REVIEWER: HEAR 2 ZEN
PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREW TREADWELL
I think Devin Townsend should be granted dual citizenship. The “Canuck Called Dev” is one of our favourite axe wielding visitors. And a full house at Brisbane’s Tivoli proved why. Devin’s last show for this touring cycle had him deliriously happy, or jetlag played a part, or a bit of both.
Caligula’s Horse kicked off the night, and they wasted no time tearing into the crowd. A mixture of technical mastery and professional piss taking is the best way to describe their set with Jim Grey delivering between song comedic mastery with total ease. The hometown boys were given a rousing reception right through their set and it was a great way to kick off the evening
Devin hit the stage, and again the piss taking continued, as well as the mastery. Kicking off with “Lightworker” from 2022’s Lightwork album, and then into “Kingdom” from 2012’s Physicist, Heavy Devys vocals really evoke emotions and take the listener places they don’t expect.
Next up is “Dimensions” which sees a very temperamental Theremin join the onstage party. While it clearly didn’t do as Dev wanted, he just laughed it off, and just kept on going. Townsend covers all the bases from his vast solo career and also heading back into the Strapping Young Lad back catalogue with “Almost Again” and “Aftermath”. After 30 plus albums it must be a challenge to curate a set list that keeps everyone happy, but a frown could not be found, so I think it was a job well done.
Devin is joined by his right hand man on stage left, multi-instrumentalist Mike Keneally, Darby Todd (whos played with Gary Moore, Robert Plant, Robben Ford) on drums James Leach on bass, and its amazing
how 4 men on stage can produce so many sound textures, especially Keneally who was literally the human octopus to accompany the mascot of the tour. Crazy how much he got done on that stage
I really hope Devin got the end of tour farewell from the Brisbane crowd that was deserved because it might be some time before he is back this way, and that last show was a great way to go out
Thanks Dev
