On April 19, 2023, I had the pleasure of attending a one-time-only show put on in conjunction with Vancouver-based indie-rock band Said the Whale at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Seeing as I’m new to the area, Said the Whale was a band I recently got into and when the opportunity arose to see them live, I knew I had to take it.
It was the first time I had been at the orchestra, and let me tell you I was IMPRESSED. The outer facade of the venue, The Orpheum, seemed non-threatening, just like a normal movie theatre. Little did I know the sheer grandeur it contained. The venue was packed, with lines of people wrapped all along the velvet staircase clamouring to get merch before the show started. The atmosphere felt magical and truly electric; chock-full with diehard fans excited to see their favourite band in person. Although it would destroy my favourite fun fact about myself — that in all my 19 years the only band/musician I had seen in person was Ed Sheeran — I was still ecstatic to get a taste of the Vancouver music scene.
The night didn’t have an opener; Said the Whale spoke for themselves. The orchestra played an instrumental version of one of their newer songs and my jaw was on the floor the entire time! It was the perfect introduction, the musicians were truly phenomenal and it set the stage for when Tyler Bancroft (guitarist), Jaycelyn Brown (pianist), and Ben Worcester (vocalist) came out introducing the evening. They were humorous and everything I imagined. When listening to recorded music it is hard to picture the artists behind the melodies, but I couldn’t have asked for more. When they bantered with the audience, it felt like I was in on the joke; just one of the gang.
As they sang, the lighting behind them was colourful and timed to the music. The evening progressed, and as the lighting transformed into every colour of the rainbow, each song was better than the last. So much so, the audience raised into a standing ovation twice! When the members of Said the Whale came back on to the stage for an encore, they each sang, or played on the piano, a love song for their respective partners and it was the most beautiful moment I had experienced since coming to Vancouver. While there, I couldn’t help but feel emotional about my decision to come to British Columbia, as there was such a large sense of love and community in the room; I would be remiss to not mention I may have shed a tear or two.
Overall, the night was amazing and I couldn’t recommend more seeing Said the Whale live. Although this show was a one-time event, the packed house makes me hopeful they will perhaps do another show like this again. The entire performance was expertly put together and not only does it help in uniting pre-existing fans, but brings a new audience to the orchestra. I will definitely be attending another Vancouver Symphony Orchestra show, even if it doesn’t feature a band I like. The mood and the feeling of the night was worth it — as well as the super cool merch.
Gianna Dinwoodie is currently working towards her BA in Political Science and hopes to pursue a minor in Journalism. When she is not seen writing mountains of essays for her classes, she enjoys poetry and literature of any sort. Especially of the horror or psychological thriller genre! Don't ask her to watch a horror movie though, she'll probably cry...
