Desert Dissonance: Dance Gavin Dance

Desert Dissonance: Dance Gavin Dance

Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, NV (6/21/25)

Oh, Las Vegas– equal parts questionable decisions and dazzling possibilities. And on this particular desert eve, our  particularly potent pre-show espresso pointed me directly to the heart of the LINQ district, a place so delightfully, almost aggressively, pleasant it felt like a theme park for grown-ups who still enjoy the occasional novelty oversized cocktail. Brooklyn Bowl, nestled comfortably beside the historic Flamingo Hotel – a pink beacon of yesteryear’s excess – was the designated crucible for tonight’s sonic alchemy: a Dance Gavin Dance show, a band whose very existence feels like a joyful, chaotic symphony. The Racketeer Broadcast Association, naturally, was on assignment. Rather than another soul-crushing hour at the penny slots, it was time for music.

Belmont burst onto the stage like a caffeinated supernova, all velocity and hook. The crowd, initially a simmering pot of anticipation, was instantly brought to a rolling boil. They were tight, they were loud, and they set a benchmark for the evening: this wasn’t going to be a night of polite head-nodding. This was going to be a full-body experience. Dwellings was an exquisitely painful massage. Their sound was a labyrinth of intricate riffs, soaring melodies, and rhythmic complexities that made my brain hum with delighted confusion. It was progressive, it was heavy, and it was beautiful. You could feel the sheer musicianship emanating from the stage, a palpable dedication to their craft. They pulled you into their world with a gentle, yet firm, grip. I found myself lost in the sonic landscapes they created, forgetting for a moment the dazzling, slightly disorienting spectacle of the LINQ outside. The Home Team was the kind of set that leaves you feeling lighter, happier, and convinced that perhaps, just perhaps, everything was going to be alright.

And then, the moment arrived. The air in Brooklyn Bowl thickened with anticipation, a palpable hum that vibrated through the very floorboards. Dance Gavin Dance, a glorious maelstrom of post-hardcore, progressive rock, and pop sensibilities, all wrapped up in a package of unbridled creativity and theatrical flair.

From the moment they hit the first note, it was an absolute masterclass. The dual vocal attack, a dizzying interplay of clean melodies and guttural screams, was as captivating as ever. The guitar work was intricate and precise, yet simultaneously raw and powerful. The rhythm section was a force of nature, laying down a foundation of grooves that were both complex and undeniably infectious. They moved with an almost balletic grace, a controlled chaos that was mesmerizing to behold.They conjure a world with their music, a vibrant, sometimes unsettling, but always compelling landscape that draws you in and refuses to let go. And tonight, they were a testament to their enduring appeal. That much more in a room with fellow fanatics. 

The night ends slightly disheveled but utterly invigorated, having witnessed a testament to the power of live music in the heart of the dazzling, delightful, slightly insane city of Las Vegas. And as I stepped back out into the neon glow of the LINQ, the distant shimmer of the Flamingo’s pink façade a comforting presence, one thought echoed in my mind: Dance Gavin Dance. You truly know how to throw a party. And for that, we salute you.