Exploring the Sound of THRICE Live in Toronto: A First-Time Experience

jaybroderick
6 days ago
4 min read

By: Jay Broderick

Toronto, Canada - As the sun sat directly on the horizon and literally blinded the westbound commuters on Highway 401, I left the office and headed toward Danforth Music Hall (one of my favourite venues to photograph at), already feeling the sting of early November darkness. But the promise of live music, and the mystery of a band that I was not completely familiar with, was enough to shake off the early seasonal blues (already?? boy are you in for a long winter). I’d been invited to check out THRICE. It's a name I had heard but never explored. Still, I happily accepted the invitation. Hey, it's Rock and Roll, and it rarely steers you wrong.

Downward

Opening the night was Oklahoma’s own Downward, an indie/emo outfit with an early 90s alternative rock vibe. The band has been around close to a decade, having dropped their debut album on Christmas Day back in 2018. Their set began with slow, heavy, brooding tones. No frills, no gimmicks, just four guys on stage pouring it out. In an usual setup, the band's bassist Severin Olsen stood dead center, vocalist/guitarist Drew Richardson off to stage left. The crowd responded with a huge applause after the band's opening track "Perfect Food". It’s always heartening to see fans show up early for the openers, and Downward earned every cheer. Their stripped-down aesthetic and raw delivery set the tone for the evening. NICE.

Modern Color

Next up, Modern Color from Redondo Beach, California brought their post-hardcore noise rock to the Danforth Music Hall stage. Like Downward, they opened with a slow burn, low tones, brooding energy, and a similar stage setup, with bassist Chris Martinez front and center and the vocalist/guitarist Fleming Valenzuela flanking stage right. The band rolled through their first 4 songs, and by the fifth track "Jacaronda", the singer broke the ice. “I know it’s a school night, but loosen up, have a little fun... dance with me alright?” Drummer Vince Nguyen joined in vocally on occasion, igniting the biggest applause of their set with his angry, angst laden screams. Security had a brief moment of action, escorting a couple of fans from the front row, possibly underage, given the 19+ nature of the event.

As the set progressed, the tempo picked up, and the Nguyen's vocal contributions added a raucous edge. Still, compared to the metal madness I’d witnessed in recent weeks, this crowd was more chill, content to absorb the music rather than erupt in chaos. A different vibe, but no less compelling.

THRICE

Then came THRICE. Also hailing from California and active since 1998, their reputation preceded them. Word on the street is that the band has a cult-like following, revered by fans and fellow musicians alike. The anticipation in the Hall was distinctly evident.

Blinding white lights soaked the stage as the band emerged to massive cheers. From the first note of their opener "Blackout", the lead track from the band's 2025 album Horizons/West, the sonic difference was undeniable... THRICE has a BIG sound. The second track "Gnash", (and coincidentally the second track from the new album) came with intense flashing lights, and by the third song "The Artist in the Ambulance", the crowd took over the singing duties during the first verse, right after vocalist Dustin Kensrue sang the first the first words. The band stood back, watching, listening... a moment of pure connection. As a newbie, it sounded surreal.

For the band's 2005 track "For Miles", guitarist Teppei Terranishi moved to keys showing the dynamic musicianship that is performing on stage before us. The Hall, packed wall to wall, erupted in dance and cheers. "Paper Tigers" brought pounding riffs and fists in the air just as I retreated toward the back of the venue to get a different perspective. I quickly found out that it was just as jammed, literally to the back wall. Not one to force my way in front of any fans, I eventually found a small space to stand in the far back corner just as Kensrue told the crowd “It’s a new song, it’s called ‘The Dark Glow’", and the band delivered a dynamic performance that shifted from melodic to thunderous, bathed in red light and fog.

In addition to the outstanding sounds emanating through the live music venue's system, THRICE's light show was a visual feast. Red glowing lights, blue spotlights, white flashes, and yellow beams mesmerized the crowd, including one friendly neighbourhood photojournalist. Then came “The Window,” a groove-heavy track that snapped everyone out of their trance and back into motion. Lyrics like “There’s nowhere to hide, be terrified, it’s all inside your head” echoed within these four walls.

A tongue-in-cheek condolence for the Blue Jays’ World Series loss to California's Los Angeles Dodgers drew some laughs. "We always have a great time coming up here" the singer shares, and the band springs into "Stare at the Sun". With this track, a crowd surfer appears. How can this possibly get any better?

With a whopping 21 song set list, the final stretch of songs was a blur of killer bass lines, spectacular lighting, and more crowd-led singalongs. THRICE didn’t waste time with chatter , just a quick sentence here and there and then straight into the music. And the fans? Devout doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Set List

Dustin Kensrue performs live in Toronto. Photo By: Jay Broderick

Blackout

Gnash

The Artist in the Ambulance

Hurricane

Holding On

For Miles

Paper Tigers

The Dark Glow

Still Life

The Window

Stare at the Sun

Crooked Shadows

In Exile

Of Dust and Nations

Black Honey

Albatross

Beyond the Pines

Robot Soft Exorcism

The Earth Will Shake

Encore:

Vesper Light

Deadbolt

THRICE delivered a set that was immersive, intense, and deeply satisfying. From the lighting design, to the crowd energy, to the sheer sonic power of the band, it was a masterclass in live performance. For someone walking in unfamiliar with their catalog, I walked out a believer.

Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by Jay Broderick)