SPILL LIVE REVIEW: VISION VIDEO @ THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, TORONTO

VISION VIDEO

@ THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, TORONTO

APRIL 2, 2023

Providing “dance music for the end of times”, so says Vision Video’s website. They made their return to the Toronto stage at The Velvet Underground this past weekend. Their music is instantaneously recognizable for fans of bands like Joy Division and The Cure and they drew out an even bigger black-clad crowd than those in attendance at their debut Toronto performance last year.

Like their predecessors, Vision Video pairs morose, downtrodden, and often sombre lyrics with tunes that are light, airy, and bouncy for an ambivalent effect. To keep the lyrical content relevant to modern times, lead singer Dusty Gannon (also famously known as TikTok’s Goth Dad) draws from his many years of harrowing experience as a paramedic and firefighter during the darkest times of COVID. This fueled his lyric writing resulting in such powerful songs ae “Death In  A Hallway” and “Organized Murder”.

As this current performance came only a few months after their first Toronto performance at the end of 2022, Gannon proclaimed that this tour would be used to test out new songs in front of a crowd and everyone was welcome to cheer if they loved it or throw out their best “It’s gonna be a no from me, Dawg” à la Randy Jackson from American Idol (and yes, Canadians are quite familiar with the show). One song they tested was a new track titled “Normalized”, which was met with quite a few cheers.

Another reason for this tour, Gannon joked, was an opportunity for keyboardist and vocalist Emily Freedock, to perform her favourite karaoke songs on stage which included Talking Head’s “Psycho Killer”. Seeing Freedock embody a central presence on stage was fun to watch as her chemistry with Gannon is a delight. The joy she has when she performs is infectious as she exudes when performing “Promises”.

Great music is made by passionate people and that describes Gannon perfectly. As he did previously, Gannon took the time to speak fervently about his experiences caring for people left to die in hallways when there just weren’t enough doctors, nurses, or hospital rooms available to keep up with the rate by which COVID was rapidly claiming lives. Gannon also delivered a few choice fiery words and f-bombs directed at former Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler which the crowd were happy to echo. With just as much compassion, Gannon reminded everyone that the fall of the Berlin Wall saw young people gathering in makeshift clubs dancing to goth and post punk music and that this would be the crowd that would help change the world. Wise words we could all use.

If we can learn anything from Vision Video it is that kindness and empathy will always win. Yes, the lyrics may be dark but the music reminds us that despite the darkness, light can be found – especially on darkened dance floors with crowds of people who embrace their own inner darkness supporting each other. As Goth Dad, Gannon often has more than enough Goth Dad jokes to go around as well as helpful advice for how young Baby Bats can go about finding community. As Freedock and Gannon are both openly bisexual, Vision Video are proud supporters of the LGBTQIA community and Goth Dad’s advice extends to help young trans kids find support in hard times. In our own dark times, it’s helpful to know that we have a Goth Dad to turn to.

(Photography by Samantha Wu)

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