Set It Off In Vancouver delivered exactly what fans hoped for as the Florida rock group stormed one of the city’s most infamous venues, Commodore Ballroom. The night celebrated the band’s newest endeavour, their self-titled album. A release that cut deep into the core sound that’s defined them for nearly two decades. It’s a raw, personal, and its energy proves just how well it hits.
Arriving at the Commodore doors, one thing was clear. I wasn’t alone in the excitement. Even before Set It Off hit the stage, the floor was packed with fans spanning multiple generations. Many of whom grew up on the emo-leaning rock sound shaped by groups like MCR, The Cure, and Jimmy Eat World. Unfortunately, I missed most of the openers, but I did catch a glimpse of Vana. Which is someone I definitely have more to say about soon.
Starting with a timer. A voiceover counted down to the band’s arrival, the crowd’s energy climbed fast. Reaching zero, Maxx Danziger on drums, Zach Dewall on guitar, and singer-songwriter Cody Carson rushed the stage. Bursts of smoke sent the night into a full-throttle launch. “Rotten,” from their self-titled album, opened what became an epic 16 track night.
From the likes of Midnight, Duality, and Elsewhere, Set It Off In Vancouver honoured their past. Of course with the tour, the album Set It Off had the most highlights with 8-tacks. “Evil People,” “Fake Ass Friends,” “Parasite,” and mega-hit “Pathological,” are just to name a few. Earlier I said we’d talk about Vana, and about that, we got an incredible performance, a duet really, with Cody for “Partners In Crime”. That moment became seared in the heads of fans and an erupting track. One that truly was brought to life and made a special moment by Vana.
First-to-final moment, the show played out like a full throttle action film. The energy stayed locked at eleven and the crowd knew exactly how to match it. Crowd surfing and circle pits turned the floor into a collision of metal-heads and rock fans ready for chaos. Everything peaked during the encore with “Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing”. Fans fired all cylinders, and the band had no choice but to meet their explosive force. 2025’s Commodore performance marked the second year Set It Off performed the Ballroom. The night felt like a victory lap that stuck with everyone in the room.
I’d like to thank the Set It Off In Vancouver team for allowing us to experience and capture the night. If you’d like to catch a future date or learn more, please visit here: Set It Off Website
