DEVIN TOWNSEND – Brisbane, Australia 11th September 2019

As fans entered the Old Museum in Brisbane, eyes met with a simplicity that felt different, yet intimate, especially for a powerhouse name within the heavy music scene. Absent was the usual big-stage production Devin Townsend and his projects are known for. An evening with Devin Townsend… is exactly what it was.

From start to finish, POWER is the word that comes to mind. He opened the evening with the first set, which included acoustic renditions of songs from Solo works, Devin Townsend Band, Devin Townsend Project and Strapping Young Lad, as well as the standard hilarity and banter one comes to expect from Devin. Playing songs such as ‘Let It Roll’, ‘Ih-Ah’ and ‘Deadhead’, as well ‘Bring Him Home’ (a cover of Schönberg from Les Misérables), and ‘Why?’ from his most recent musical endeavour, Empath.  From start to finish, the minds of fans were thrust deep into the power of his voice, the incredible vocal range and ability,  and technical prowess with guitar.

Within this particular tour, fans were given the opportunity to ask Devin anything. The Q and A portions of the evening were a delightful and intimate way to see windows into the creative process, the thoughts, and more of the personal side of Devin. That in itself, as a fan of the technical side of music, was well worth the ticket price. Long, in depth and personable answers were given, with the signature humour of Devin sprinkled throughout. 

This intimate, acoustic performance, coupled with the interactive experience, is like none other that I have attended. To be in this setting, with a musical genius, and an immeasurably entertaining person, is an experience that is seldom within the entertainment industry.  A Devin Townsend performance is truly something that every fan and music lover alike should endeavour to experience.

Reviewer: Ree Phillips

Photographer: Davey Rintala @fastlanephoto