Last Friday (Oct. 30) Deafheaven played a nearly sold out show at famous Chicago music venue, the Metro. It’s taken a few days, but the ringing in my ears has finally subsided. This was the first time Deafheaven has played the Metro. While the band is no stranger to Chicago, they’ve previously filled more intimate venues, like Subterranean. (Filled them to an uncomfortable capacity, that is.) In support of the new critically acclaimed album, New Bermuda, it was time for a bigger venue.
On tour with Deafheaven was Tribulation, and Envy. Tribulation, a swedish death metal band formed in 2005, started the night off, mild corpse paint and all. Envy, 23 year veterans from Tokyo, slowed things down with their post-hardcore rock. What this culmination of opening bands lead up to was a show that I can honestly say just gets better every time.
Marking the thirteenth stop of their thirty North American Fall tour dates (see dates below), passion for their trade, for their sound, was obviously flowing through this band. Forever embracing an intense crowd, frontman George Clarke ominously summoned the crowd to push forward numerous times. The result, if not obvious, was a movement filled, angsty pit. Surrounding it were more demure fans banging their heads in approval. And amongst this madness and intensity, guitarist Kerry McCoy, relaxed as ever, song after song.
If you were there, you know. But if you weren’t, this should paint a picture of the culture that this band creates.The good news is that the tour’s not over. This was 10/30, and after mesmerizing the U.S., Deafheaven will head to Europe, kicking off overseas performances in March 2016.
While you may chastise yourself for missing this show (because you missed a good one), rest assured that while Deafheaven won’t be back just yet for round II at the Metro, the lineup for the rest of the year is solid. Find out who’s coming next at the Metro right here, and when you come down, be sure to give a ‘Hi’ to Roy. He’ll be awaiting your head nod.
Photos by Derek Georgevich.
Deafheaven North American Fall Tour Dates
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Date |
Venue |
Location |
Deafheaven_Metro_Chicago
Deafheaven: Live at Metro Chicago October 30, 2015
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Deafheaven marquee
The marquees outside Metro, in the back ground you'll see G Man tavern, the best place for your pre/post show beer.
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Tribulation
Johannes Andersson of Tribulation.
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Tribulation
Jonathan Hultén And Johannes Andersson.
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Tribulation
Jonathan Hultén of Tribulation.
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Tribulation
Tribulation.
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Tribulation
Tribulation.
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Envy
Tetsuya Fukagawa of Envy.
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Envy
Envy.
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Envy
Tetsuya Fukagawa of Envy.
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Envy
Envy.
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Envy
Tetsuya Fukagawa of Envy.
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Deafheaven
Deafheaven before the stage goes black.
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Deafheaven
George Clarke ready to charge the mic.
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Deafheaven
George Clarke pointing to the sky
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Deafheaven
George Clarke commanding the crowd.
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Deafheaven
Here George conducts the crowd
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Deafheaven
Kerry McCoy shredding
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Deafheaven
George Clark headbanging
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Deafheaven
George Clarke
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Deafheaven
George Clarke
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Deafheaven
Come Closer
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Deafheaven
George Clarke
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Deafheaven
George Clarke
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Deafheaven 24
Taking it back
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Deafheaven 25
George screaming into the crowd
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Deafheaven 26
Deafheaven
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Deafheaven 27
"I see a little silhouetto of a man" - Freddie Mercury
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Deafheaven 28
Kerry in the shadows
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Deafheaven 29
Kerry McCoy, through the light
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Deafheaven 30
When did George stop wearing the black surgical gloves?
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Deafheaven 32
Barely letting fans get close to him
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Deafheaven 33
The crowd pushing forward
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Deafheaven 34
George Clarke mid headbang
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Deafheaven 35
Up close with George Clarke
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Deafheaven 36
All up on Kerry McCoy's business.
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Deafheaven 37
The crowd loving Deafheaven
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Deafheaven 38
George Clarke on his 100th point into the crowd
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Deafheaven 39
Almost all of Deafheaven
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Deafheaven 40
Closing with Sunbather, and then Beach House.
