Concert: Devin Townsend with Tesseract
House of Blues, Orlando, FL May 4th, 2025
Images and Words by Mike Giordano
Fresh off the release of his latest album, Power Nerd, Devin Townsend recently began a North American tour. Shortly before the start of the tour, Mr. Townsend announced that this was going to be the last tour he does before taking a sabbatical to work on some long backburnered projects, as well as to attend to some personal matters. With the knowledge that this may be the last time I’d get to see Devin for an extended period of time, it made the decision to go to the show that much more easy.
Tesseract opened the night with a blistering set of hits which captivate the audience for the hour they performed. They are always entertaining and mentioned how 15 years early they had toured with Devin in the states. After a short break, it was time for the main event.
From the moment “The Muppet Show” theme hit and Devin Townsend and his band walked on stage, you pretty much knew exactly what you were going to get, and Devin didn’t disappoint. The night was filled with a combination of hard hitting metal, high brow comedy, and stuffed animals and puppets being delivered to the stage throughout the evening. The lighting and audio throughout the show were utterly fantastic making for a terrific visual and audio immersion.
Anyone who has followed Devin throughout his career knows the wide gamut that his music reaches across. Bits and pieces of his wide ranging career were on display. From the blistering heaviness of his Strapping Young Lad days (“Love?”), to his early Ocean Machine solo days (“Bastard”), and through his Infinity/Physicist/Terria period, and settling in with several tracks from his more recent period, including a wonderful performance of “Why?” From his Empath album. And of course, what would a Devin show be without something Ziltoid related?
As any Devin fan can attest, he is one of the most charismatic frontmen/solo performers out there. From the moment he steps on stage, you’re greeted with a smile and a warm welcome from him, and that never stops until he steps off the stage. You never quite know what banter you’re going to get between songs, and I frequently found myself wondering what I’d be laughing at next. But Devin isn’t the only attraction during the set. Legendary guitarist Mike Keneally continues his role as the second guitarist in the band, as well as playing piano and synth parts throughout the night, often at the same time. Darby Todd continues on as drummer providing blistering beats throughout the night, and James Leach provides the low end on bass. The band sounded as tight as I’ve ever heard them before, and the energy showed by all members throughout the performance was fantastic.
I really can’t stress how enjoyable the night was. Devin compiled a terrific setlist showcasing his career, and has surrounded himself with outstanding musicians to bring his records to life. Combine this with his inimitable stage presence, and how his shows tend to be less performances, and more one big party with hundreds of his close friends, and it’s certainly a night not to be missed. And certainly, with the impending touring sabbatical coming and the uncertainty of when we’ll see him again in person, I can’t stress how much I’d recommend making it out to one of the remaining shows on the tour. Devin is an international musical treasure, and I definitely wish him the best during his break, and will (im)patiently await his return to the stage.
More info and tickets can be found here: www.hevydevy.com/tour-dates
