Deafheaven @ Canton Hall, Dallas, TX

Words and photos by Scott Rowe

The time had finally come.  I have followed Deafheaven for some time now, loving their last few albums but I have yet to see them live.  Well, I take that back.  I saw them begin their set during the 2011 edition of Parade of Flesh's Bro Fest, a SXSW spillover festival in Deep Ellum, Dallas.  I was not aware of Deafheaven at the time and I only got to see half a song before I had left, as I had been on my feet for the previous twelve hours.  Had I known their music and their stage presence, I definitely would have stayed.  Fast forward eight years and I not only caught a legit Deafheaven performance at Canton Hall, but I also had the opportunity to shoot their show.  They opened with the blistering "Brought to the Water", serving as a manifesto for the night's agenda. While one might scoff at a seven-song playlist, it was more than enough to take in all of the band's sound and energy. Ending with the fantastically dynamic "Dream House" was a perfect end to their hour-long set.  Furious and sonically pleasing, Deafheaven's performance was outright energetic and was better than I had imagined.  Simply said, I cannot wait until they come back.

Photos of the show are below:

 

enjoy.