Vancouver Punk Trio Big City Germs Embarks on Epic 38-Day World Tour Across 16+ Nations
Vancouver's techno punk trio Big City Germs is set to take their loud, abrasive music to unconventional stages worldwide with an ambitious new tour. The band, consisting of lead singer-guitarist Kevin McCauley, guitarist-vocalist Ivan Flores, and drummer Kristoff Meier, will traverse more than 16 countries in just 38 days, including stops in Syria, Iraq, and Mongolia.
From Local Roots to Global Stages
Since their debut in 2022 at Vancouver's indie music venue LanaLou's, Big City Germs has built a reputation for relentless touring. They have completed two coast-to-coast Canadian tours, reaching as far north as Dawson City's Westminster Hotel, and a grueling 21-city European tour in 25 days during 2024. Now, they are pushing boundaries further with the 38 Dates Later world tour, which kicks off this month.
Unique Destinations and Logistical Challenges
The tour will see the band performing in venues from Tokyo to Turkey, with additional stops in Armenia, Georgia, Nepal, and other off-the-beaten-path locations. McCauley explained that the tour expanded from an initial Japan-focused plan to include destinations like Taiwan, China, and Mongolia. "We wanted to push the limits and see how far we could go," he said, noting that the itinerary "snowballed" as more opportunities arose.
Organizing shows in China required navigating complex permit processes, including translating song lyrics for approval and providing verified photos of band members. The tour's first confirmed event is the 14th annual Chongqing Punk Rock Festival, which led to four additional shows in the country.
Building on International Connections
McCauley's prior experience living in Shanghai and DJing at venues like the Venetian Macau casino helped secure Chinese concert opportunities. Meanwhile, Meier's connections with filmmaker Scott Gibson, who documents Indonesia's punk scene, facilitated bookings in that region. "We could have booked many more shows there, but scheduling constraints limited us," Meier noted.
The tour continues to evolve, with last-minute additions such as a second same-night show at an Indonesian venue requiring flexibility and adaptability from the band.
A Global Demand for Punk Energy
Big City Germs attributes the tour's expansion to a growing international appetite for their hard-grooving tracks, like the single Do It. Their journey reflects a broader trend of punk music gaining traction in diverse cultural contexts, from established scenes in Japan to emerging hubs in Mongolia and Syria.
This tour not only highlights the band's dedication to reaching global audiences but also underscores the logistical intricacies of international music promotion in today's interconnected world.
