DEVIN TOWNSEND
Over his 25-year career, Devin Townsend has certified himself as one of the most unconventionally intriguing music personalities in modern prog. Known for many musical projects and styles, from the extreme metal Strapping Young Lad to cinematic prog with the Devin Townsend Project to alt country duo Casualties Of Cool, not to mention his work with Steve Vai, tonight he’s riding solo to celebrate the release of his new album, Empath. The Canadian greets the audience with his typical tongue-in-cheek remarks and comical
banter before pausing to tune his acoustic guitar, which he admits to doing wrong. It’s just him on stage tonight, making for a very stripped-back evening with a low-key, intimate atmosphere.
Townsend asks, “What do you guys want?” and the eager audience shout, “Do whatever you want!” Joking, Townsend takes this opportunity to make a quick exit, chuckling, “Alright, I’m off home!”, before instead launching straight in to Let It Roll, followed by Why? from Empath. Anyone who’s heard Empath would surely agree that it’s one of Townsend’s more meticulous works: a complete mind-bender that sees him at his most impenetrable. Delving in to his illimitable imagination, it’s a culmination of Townsend’s past works and a journey through his many musical personalities.
Energy levels now peaked, Townsend takes a breather and, as the echoes of Funeral bounce across the room, he shouts, “Well ,that was awkward!” in his usual self-deprecating way before asking, “Shall we all be awkward together?”, laughing, as the crowd cheer. He is straight back in with Love?, Deadhead and fan favourite Ih-Ah!. His raw emotion is fearless and vocally he’s outstanding, switching from almost guttural screaming to much softer opera-esque whispers. He asks the audience to deathscream part of Coast; we’re a little bit off, but manage it. Townsend applauds us before launching into Thing Beyond Things.
With a back catalogue as rich and varied as
Townsend’s, it’s hard to please everyone, but tonight touches upon everything he is known for.
The chance to question the prog maestro himself is likely a highlight for many and takes up most of the second part of the evening, with
Townsend stopping for a quick jam in between the interval and Q&A.
Topics for questions include the drumming aspect of Empath, how Townsend writes songs from dreams, and how he overcomes pre-gig nerves, to which he reveals to taking some time out alone before his shows, doing some breathing exercises, and practising mindfulness/meditative techniques. He’s also asked whether Ziltoid was based on his Snorkel The Shark from his Strapping Young Lad days – the answer is yes, with Townsend saying that puppets act as ‘alter egos’, allowing himself to express himself more freely.
Townsend is an artist who toys around with expectation and he does what he wants, and doesn’t take himself seriously. Those unfamiliar with him might think some of his tracks border on slightly nuts, but tonight is a ludicrously fun evening where we get a closer look at the man behind the music.
“IT’S JUST TOWNSEND ON STAGE TONIGHT,
MAKING FOR A VERY STRIPPEDBACK EVENING WITH A LOW-KEY,
INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE.”