On November 11, 2025 the Commodore Ballroom rattled with a four-band bill that ran the gamut from hard rock to theatrical alt-rock. What started as a local return for a Canadian opener became a night of blistering guitar work, heroic covers, and one deeply satisfying headliner set — all of it captured from the photo pit.
Autumn Kings were a late add to the bill after original opener The Pretty Wild issued a statement pulling out to "pause, catch our breath, and make sure we're building from a place that's grounded and sustainable."
Stepping into that slot, Autumn Kings wasted no time — hard rock with pop sensibilities and a hefty dose of alt attitude. They even nailed a rousing cover of Linkin Park’s “Bleed It Out,” and their original "Snake Charmer" slid immediately onto my playlist. I caught a few minutes at their merch table afterwards and the lead singer was as genuine offstage as they were ferocious on it — a welcome treat for anyone who likes friendly bands with a heavy live presence.
Vana (@vana_nz) was the one I was most excited to shoot, and they delivered everything I hoped for. With Niles (@nilesgregory) and Justus (@justus_dixon) trading blistering riffs and Mathieux (@mathieux_davis) locking the rhythm on drums, the set was tight and aggressive. They opened with an unreleased piece — a masked, cinematic number that set the stage — then tore into high-octane favourites like BEG! and Serpentine. By the end of the set Vana was nearly out of voice, and it was easy to see why: they left nothing on stage.
Fame On Fire brought theatricality and a heavier tone to the evening. Their stage presence leaned into spectacle — dynamic covers and moments of drama that made for some of the night’s most photographable scenes. They weren’t my favourite musically, but their performance quality and showmanship were undeniable.
Headlining was Set It Off, touring in support of their self-titled release — a pivotal album that marks their first fully independent record since parting ways with Fearless Records. Lead vocalist Cody Carson (@codysio), guitarist/bassist Zach DeWall (@zachsio), and drummer Maxx Danziger (@maxxsio) showed a band comfortable in their new lane: emotionally direct songs alongside full-tilt anthems.
The room alternated between hushed, emotional moments and full-throttle singalongs. For every intimate thank-you from Cody there was an eruption of noise for tracks like "Parasite" and "Punching Bag." A crowd favourite from earlier days, "Projector" (from Elsewhere), got a raucous reception. One of the evening’s highlights was Vana joining Cody for "Partners in Crime" — a spontaneous guest moment that felt genuinely magical.
Cody also took a quiet moment at the piano for a short mash-up of songs from across their catalogue — a brief, thoughtful pause before the crowd roared them back into full force.
By the time I hit the merch table much of the vinyl stock was gone — testament to a packed crowd and eager collectors. I did manage to snag a limited tour CD and a signed Vana vinyl, which made the trip home feel like a win beyond the images.