Concert Review: City & Colour's Vancouver Concert an Intimate Thank You to Fans
It was a memorable night of music that felt personal and authentic, like Dallas Green had invited his fans, old and new, into a private session. City & Colour took the stage Monday night at The Orpheum for a performance that could not be classified as a greatest hits parade.
Rather, it felt like a lineup of songs hand-picked for a specific feeling and mood for Dallas Green (or, in this case, his mom). Green, who rose to fame with the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, performed at local venues in Edmonton, Calgary and Victoria before ending the small-venue Western Canada tour in Vancouver.
Held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of his side project from Alexisonfire — Green also had a third project called You+Me with American singer-songwriter P!nk — the recent intimate shows were billed as a thank you to fans who had supported his "little songwriting project" over the years.
"I wanted to go back to the way it used to be when I first began sharing this different side of my musical heart," the Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter said in a pre-tour press release. The evening promised career-spanning songs, covers and stories. And that's exactly what Green delivered.
Opening Act: Julianna Riolino
Julianna Riolino opened the night, accompanied by just her Gibson guitar and a Troll (yes, the toy). Repeating her name several times throughout her set, she noted, with confidence, that "you will know my name by the end of the night." The Ontario singer-songwriter, whose latest album is called Echo in the Dust, noted she appreciated the opportunity to be stripped of her usual backing band in favour of the more pared-down performance setup. Making her way through her songs including All Blue, I Wonder, and Full Moon, Riolino's clear, powerful vocals were more than enough to leave listeners taking note of her name.
Green's Set: A Journey Through Time
Starting his set without a word, Green kicked it off with a version of Son House's Grinnin' in Your Face. Then, he picked up his guitar to play Two Coins. "He is sooo good," a fan seated behind me remarked at the close of the second song. The evening progressed with a carefully curated selection of tracks spanning his career, including fan favorites and deeper cuts. Green shared stories between songs, offering glimpses into his creative process and personal life, making the concert feel like an intimate gathering rather than a large-scale performance.
A Personal Reflection
The last time I saw a solo City & Colour concert, it was in downtown Los Angeles in 2008. At the time, I was a college student studying journalism at a university in San Diego. I can vividly recall the excitement as a friend and I piled into my Honda Fit to make the drive north to attend the concert, Green's 2005 album Sometimes playing on repeat. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and a lot has surely changed. But the Canadian musician's music still holds a very special place.
Conclusion
City & Colour's Vancouver concert was a heartfelt thank you to fans, blending nostalgia with authentic artistry. Green's ability to connect with the audience through his music and storytelling reaffirmed why his side project has endured for two decades. For those lucky enough to attend, it was a night to remember.
