Last time Devin Townsend played a headlining show in the French capital, no one knew that the world was about to change radically. Here we are, over three years later, and the Canadian musician is touring behind his new album Lighthwork, which was very obviously informed by the pandemic. The message is clear: in these troubled time, music is a beacon.
Realities of post-pandemic touring economics mean that Devin's band is significantly scaled down compared to last time, but the wall of sound is still as punishing as before thanks to his musicians that are all monsters, including guitarist Mike Keneally on guitar, keyboards, vocals and electronic wizardry.
On the negative side: the turn-out wasn't all that great unfortunately, the famed Olympia theater seemed only three quarters full... And the show itself was maybe just a little too short: Devin was feeling unwell (sinus problems) and the whole concert clocked in just a little over an hour and fifteen minutes. But it was so intense, so packed with insane musicianship, crazy antics and fantastic songs that no one felt slighted.
In fact, the whole crowd spent the entire evening dancing, singing, and banging its collective head to the zany, heavy sounds of one of today's most original artists in Metal music.