I came into this show, my first live show since the lockdown, knowing very little about RY X. I only knew that I liked the little that I had heard. The show itself is difficult to summarize as it was so very different than most live concerts I’ve seen. From the absolutely gorgeous stage filled with candles, dry ice and sultry lighting, I was expecting a very mellow gig. This certainly was the case for the beginning of many of his songs, however they brilliantly began blending into electronic, synth-808-drum machine additions making them pulsating jams that were difficult not to dance to (and I’m a paraplegic)! It was rare where I wasn’t covered in goosebumps as RY X’s combination of organic & digital led to a sublime sonic marriage, and a show that I truly didn’t want to end. What’s better is that his personality met the beauty of his music. His addressed the Vancouver crowd with a very genuine and transparent sense of gratitude and humility. I later listened to an interview with him and he expressed that his fans aren’t fans. They’re a community and he goes into every show with no expectations from the crowd as he sees his shows as a medium for giving, not taking. If this doesn’t make you melt, then you should check yourself.
This was one of the most moving shows I’ve ever seen in my 30+ years as an avid concert attendee and I urge you to see RY X live if he ends up playing remotely close to your home. Yes, he is that good.