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Tom Morello In Vancouver
Tom Morello In Vancouver was a night the city will hold near and dear for years to come. Infamously known for bands like Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage, Axis of Justice, and more, Morello brought his legacy to the Commodore Ballroom, a venue as legendary as the artist himself. For two nights, Morello shredded alongside his son Roman and Freedom Fighters Orchestra, playing expected hits, hidden gems, and surprise covers. If you were a fan of Morello, there was no better place to be on July 10th and 11th.
Unsurprisingly, both shows sold out quickly, marking Morello’s long-awaited return to Vancouver after several years. Rage fans were left disappointed a few years back when the band was slated to play at Pacific Coliseum, only to cancel due to Zack De La Rocha’s injury. But with the announcement of Tom Morello In Vancouver earlier this year, fans rushed to Ticketmaster to secure their place at one of the most memorable concerts of the year. But before we dive deeper into the main event, let’s talk about the wild openers that were… SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids Tear Off The Roof and Send The Audience Into The Stratosphere
This Kitamaat Village duo have become something of a Vancouver staple with their frequent performances in the city. Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Young Trybez” Nyce recently made history as the first Indigenous rappers to win Best Rap Album at the JUNOs for their critically acclaimed Red Future. With a growing fan base, it was only a matter of time before they opened for a high-profile act, and doing so for Tom Morello made it all the more historic.
The Ballroom was near capacity before they even hit the stage. Buzz about their set was spreading fast, and everyone lucky enough to have a ticket wanted to see what the duo would bring. From the first beat, the energy was undeniable. The duo commanded the crowd with infectious charisma and an explosive stage presence. Hits like Red Future, Boujee Natives, and LET YA HAIR DOWN all made the setlist. But it was the interaction with the crowd that really elevated the performance. Their back-and-forth chants of “We say Snotty Nose, you say Rez Kids!” had the entire room shouting in unison, etching a lasting memory into the night. When their set ended, the crowd erupted, and knowing SNRK, they wouldn’t keep Vancouver waiting too long for more. With that, it was time for the main course, Tom Morello In Vancouver.
Morello Performs A Historic Show At A Historic Venue
As a regular concertgoer, when I think of the best venues in Vancouver, the Commodore always tops the list. Its intimate setting, crystal-clear sound, and legendary history create a vibe that’s unmatched. Just weeks ago, it hosted one of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen, Jack White. That show became a once-in-a-lifetime memory for many. And now, for two nights, a new chapter was written: “I witnessed THE Tom Morello at the Commodore.” With the venue packed to the brim, merch tables cleaned out, and 9 PM on the clock, Vancouver buzzed with anticipation. As the opening note of Soldier In The Army of Love rang out, the city let out a collective roar. Tom and Roman Morello took the stage, kicking off an unforgettable journey.
The synchronized movements and shared energy between father and son set the tone early. Roman, already a beast on guitar at a young age, shredded solos with ease. At one point he played behind his back while Tom proudly pointed at him in a moment that felt both rock and roll and deeply personal. It didn’t take long for the Rage hits to drop. Testify, from The Battle of Los Angeles, had the crowd going wild.
Setlist
Fresh off performing at Back to the Beginning, Ozzy Osbourne’s final show, Morello brought some of that magic to Vancouver. He performed Mr. Crowley as a tribute to Ozzy, with Roman once again joining in on the legendary track. Other surprise covers included Bruce Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad, John Lennon’s Power to the People, and Audioslave’s Like A Stone. Of course, Rage Against The Machine classics brought the house down. Know Your Enemy, Bulls On Parade, and Killing In The Name had the crowd yelling every lyric like their lives depended on it.
In Closing
Tom Morello In Vancouver had a 14-plus track set that ended with a high-octane finale as Morello brought Snotty Nose Rez Kids back out for a blazing cover of MC5’s Kick Out The Jams. The crowd was fully locked in, dancing and shouting along as the night closed on a high note. As Tom strummed the final chord, Vancouver gave a thunderous and lasting ovation. As a longtime fan who once battled Morello’s character in Guitar Hero III, I can say this was a show I’ll never forget. And I know many others feel the same. Who knows when Tom Morello In Vancouver will happen again, but when it does, I’ll be in that digital line hitting refresh, ready for the next ticket.
I’d like to thank Tom Morello In Vancouver and his incredible team for allowing me to experience the night’s performance. With the tour only just beginning, you can find a future date or find more info on the artist, please visit here: https://tommorello.com/
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