The Strumbellas in Vancouver had the city moving as the Ontario group delivered a night of hits. Fresh off the release of their latest project Burning Bridges Into Dust, the Canadian quintet took over the Commodore Ballroom. Their aptly named Into Dust Tour featured a massive 21-track set that hit every note fans hoped to hear. Speaking of fans, they showed up in full force, packing every square inch of the ballroom floor. When it comes to The Strumbellas in Vancouver, they’re one of those bands people insist you have to see live. Before their stop in Vancity, I couldn’t understand why a band I mostly knew from their 2016 release had such a devoted following. The Strumbellas in Vancouver has happened more than four times since their debut here in 2016, yet every show somehow slipped past me, as if people were keeping it a secret. With this latest tour, I finally had the chance to experience their live energy, and I have to admit, you really do have to see them live.
Kicking off the night was another Ontario group, Honest Heart Collective. I first saw them last year at one of Vancouver’s heartbeat venues, The Pearl, where their adrenaline-fueled set made it impossible to look away as Ryan and Nic MacDonald, Jay Savage, and Kevin Heerema tore up the stage. At The Strumbellas in Vancouver, that same raw energy returned, only amplified by a larger crowd ready to move with them.
Their nine-track set featured “11/17,” “Lonely Bones,” and a new song, “‘96 Sunfire.” A few fans from that Pearl show were clearly in the room again, something Ryan even pointed out as they collectively lost it. The performance hit its peak with their final track, “Atlantic City,” a striking take on Bruce Springsteen’s classic. As their set closed out, the crowd’s voices rose in a full crescendo, proving the band was the perfect fit to open the night. Seeing them already command one of Vancouver’s most iconic venues, it feels obvious these guys are on track for arena stages soon.
Hitting it off on a strong note, The Strumbellas in Vancouver opened with the new classic “Hanging Out in My Head.” Jimmy Chauveau, who stepped in as lead singer in 2022, has proven himself a force. From jumping to sprinting across the stage and delivering powerful vocals, he’s been a bright spark since joining the band. The introduction was explosive, and it only built from there. “Salvation,” “Hold Me,” and “Sailing” followed, and the crowd hit a state of pure ecstasy. Dancing and singing to every lyric, their voices blended as if they were extra members of the group.
As Jimmy worked the crowd, keyboardist David Ritter acted like a conductor. Pulling everyone into a true community experience. The choir-like atmosphere grew even stronger thanks to Isabel Ritchie. Who balanced backup vocals with soulful tambourine hits and violin work that lifted the performance to another level. Jon, Darryl, and Jeremy held everything together, creating a level of energy and synergy that left me wondering how they kept it all running so flawlessly. It was perfection personified.
With five albums behind them, choosing the perfect flow couldn’t be easy. But The Strumbellas in Vancouver made their set click together like Tetris. From their early days we heard “Diane,” “Sailing,” and “Shovels & Dirt”. The hits followed with “Salvation,” “We Don’t Know,” and “Young & Wild”. Tracks from Into Dust like “Skin of My Teeth,” “Hard Lines,” and “Maybe It’s Me” added a fresh punch.
And of course, the night closed with the song that defines their legacy and sent Vancity into a frenzy, “Spirits”. Every lyric became a unified sing-along from the opening line to the final note. Back in 2016, you couldn’t escape this track; it was everywhere and completely addictive. Its recent resurgence through TikTok has only strengthened its pull. Many fans held their phones up, ready to capture the moment. It was once again proof the song has power. The power to bring people together.
After that final note, one thing was clear: I was hooked. Walking the streets of Vancouver and driving home with friends, we couldn’t stop smiling as we relived the night. From start to finish, it was a performance both the fans and the band could be proud of. If you ever get the chance to see The Strumbellas in Vancouver or anywhere else, don’t miss it, because they’re a must-see act.
I’d like to thank The Strumbellas In Vancouver and their team for allowing me to capture the night. To find out more on the group or find a future tour date, please visit here: https://thestrumbellas.ca/
