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Meute In Vancouver
Meute in Vancouver was a bombastic night of Electro-Funk, as the 11-piece marching band from Hamburg took over the Commodore Ballroom with a near sold-out crowd. The tour follows hot off the release of their highly praised EMPOR album last year, and a standout performance at Coachella last week. This show was especially exciting for me, as I’ve been following Meute since 2020. I’ve always admired how they blend techno sounds from artists like Deadmau5 and Flume with the energy of a brass band. Watching their evolution has been nothing short of joyful. When I arrived at the Commodore, it was clear I wasn’t alone in that sentiment. The venue buzzed with high-energy fans, many dressed in neon outfits that fit perfectly with Meute’s vibrant, high-octane sound. Conversations around the room were filled with excitement about their recent Coachella set, which had clearly made a lasting impression. You could feel the anticipation as everyone waited to experience it firsthand. Before Meute took the stage, Blinks set the tone with an opening set that gave the crowd a chance to find their rhythm for the night. It was the perfect prelude, a steady crescendo that built beautifully toward what was to come. And with that, it was time for Meute in Vancouver.
Commodore Ballroom Embraces Electro-Funk
By 9:15 PM, with the stage primed by Blinks, it took just a single note for Vancouver to lose their collective mind. Bathed in flashing strobes, eleven figures stood ready: Marco, Timon, OnKL, Philip, Philipp, Adrian, André, Johnny, Sebastian, Hans-Christian, and Thomas. These were the heartbeat of one of the world’s most unconventional marching bands. The opening sounds of “Loss of Hope” drifted out, led by a lone trombone, slow and purposeful. One by one, each musician stepped into the spotlight, their instruments speaking for them, a quiet introduction before the storm. It was a moment of deliberate build of tension, anticipation, and precision. Then, in perfect unison, they locked in. The sound swelled, and with a thunderous drop, the room was consumed. Vancouver became a pulse, a body moving inside Meute’s explosive sound vortex.
Setlist & Highlights
The 17-track set sent shockwaves through the Commodore Ballroom, the floor alive with movement as concertgoers claimed every inch of space to dance. The ground shook beneath the weight of it all — to the point where parts of the stage itself began falling apart. Meute in Vancouver brought an arsenal of hypnotic beats and rhythms that pulled across their stellar discography. Tracks from EMPOR, PULS, and TUMULT coursed through the night like an unstoppable current. With every track stretching five minutes or more, the music became immersive. Even without a single lyric, the audience was connected, moving together as if sharing the same heartbeat. One of the night’s most striking aspects was their unbreakable connection as a band. Their precision was flawless, each transition seamless, every beat exact. For a former saxophone player like myself, it was humbling, and utterly awe-inspiring to watch them command a stage so effortlessly. And then, of course, there were the outfits: bold red blazers, shining gold buttons, and signature patches. It gave them the presence of a futuristic marching band, equal parts tradition and rebellion.
In Closing
As someone who’s covered countless concerts, I can say without hesitation, this was one of the more uniquely electrifying shows I’ve ever witnessed. The energy had a raw intensity as concert-goers danced unrestrained, as if no one were watching. Commodore was a room full of people living entirely in the moment, and loving every second of it. At the heart of it all was a band whose sound is unmistakably their own. Meute had a force of nature presence, a sound so distinct, yet fearless that even their peers in the techno and EDM worlds speak of them with reverence. Meute in Vancouver was a statement, a full-sensory showcase of sound and soul rarely seen. The sheer precision and commitment it takes to execute this level of performance is staggering. Yet, Meute delivered it all with cool, never missing a step, nor ever breaking a sweat. It all built toward the night’s final track “Mental Help”. The trance-like rhythm was like ecstasy for the ears, it had the crowd surrender, completely lost in the band’s heart-pounding finale. When the final note finally rang out, it was a bittersweet burst of celebration. a moment so euphoric, you didn’t want it to end. Vancouver had been swept away, and for a while, we were all somewhere else entirely, somewhere we never wanted to leave.
Thank You Meute
On behalf of Hidden Beats, I’d like to thank Meute In Vancouver and their team for the memorable experience that was the Empor 2025 Tour. If you’d like to find out more information on this extraordinary Marching Band or catch a future date, visit here: https://www.meute.eu/
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