It was a day of celebration around the world; futbol fans from nations across the globe raising their voices as one, regardless of native language, celebrated the conclusion of what is arguably, the greatest sports tournament in the world. In Vancouver, BC, where several matches had been held over the previous weeks, crowds thronged the streets and as I made my way through the sea of humanity, it felt appropriate that I was joining another celebration: Nation of Language performing at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom.
The band’s lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ian Richard Devaney started Nation of Language in Brooklyn, New York in 2016. Adding his partner, Aidan Noell on synths/keys and original bassist, Michael Sue-Poi, the band released its debut album Introduction, Presence (2020) with A Way Forward appearing the following year. Alex MacKay replaced Sue-Poi in 2022, handling bass duties on Strange Disciple (2023) and the band’s fourth album, Dance Called Memory (2025).
The synth-pop label attached to Nation of Language is accurate, but the band’s music is clearly more than that. If asked, each band member will recite a list of influences growing up, from punk to electronica. Of the band’s name, Devaney told QRO Magazine, “There is a DC punk band from the Eighties called Nation of Ulysses and I thought they had the coolest name. So, on a piece of paper, I wrote out ‘Nation of’ and then left it blank. I just started free associating and once I wrote out ‘Nation of Language,’ I just stopped, and said “There it is! That sounds like a band I could be in.”
My own entry point to the band’s music was a few months ago when I heard “Inept Apollo,” immediately fell in love with it, and began making my way through the band’s catalogue. I could hear the influences from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), Human League, and other synthesizer driven bands with which I’d grown up. But there was another element I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Soon, though, I realized that element is the harder edge that punk, new wave, and grunge bring to Nation of Language’s approach.
That punk factor was on full display this past July 19 in Vancouver, BC. Peel Dream Magazine, so named for BBC Radio 1 icon John Peel, opened the show with its LA shoegaze, pop-punk driven tunes, turning in a satisfying 40-minute opening set and setting the stage for the headliner.
After a short break, the main act strode confidently onstage, opening with the lovely ballad “Can’t Face Another,” the first track from the newest album. Beginning with simple keyboard accompaniment, the song blossomed in scope and volume as Devaney’s expansive vocals filled the upper reaches of the Commodore Ballroom. “Rush and Fever,” from Introduction, Presence dipped into their earliest work and turned up the beat as did the next tune, “Sole Obsession” (from Strange Discipline). By the fourth song, “The Grey Commute,” (from a Way Forward) the opening mini survey of the band’s catalogue was complete.
The remainder of the 90+ minute set proceeded in the same way, delving into and skipping through their four-album catalogue. The concert’s fifth song, “September Again” reminded me of Duran Duran’s enduring influence on synth-pop. For this first timer, it was a perfect introduction to the Nation of Language live experience.
Stream Dance Called Memory by Nation of Language on Spotify:
Delving into a band’s recorded output gives one an essential but incomplete picture of a band. As Neil Young says, “live music is better,” and so it was hearing Nation of Language’s tunes performed in a live context where they could shine-visually, sonically, and most crucially, emotionally. Devaney, when unencumbered by his guitar bounces around the stage like an only slightly manic David Byrne, moving to and fro, and up and down, one minute standing motionless centerstage, the next randomly bounding about in three dimensions. MacKay, ever the consummate bassist, stands stock still like a modern-day Bill Wyman. Noell, largely ensconced behind her synth rig, plays the gorgeous washes of sound and synth-driven percussion that makes the trio’s music unique, simultaneously offering a magnetic visual anchor to Ian’s seemingly limitless energy.
Aidan, in the same QRO interview said, “All [our] songs have the core of the recorded version, and sometimes we use the same drum samples, but [they go] somewhere different when we perform because we come together in a way that feels transcendent of the song. It becomes its own community between the three of us, our sound engineer and light engineer, and because it’s that team element, it just elevates the experience and the feeling in such a nice way.”
Setlist:
Can’t Face Another One
Rush & Fever
Sole Obsession
The Grey Commute
September Again
I’m Not Ready for the Change
Sightseer
Wounds of Love
The Motorist
In Your Head
On Division St
The Wall & I
Encore:
Weak in Your Light
Inept Apollo
Across That Fine Line
Watch “Inept Apollo” performed live by Nation of Language on KEXP via YouTube:
As the show gradually drew to a close, Devaney effusively thanked the crowd saying, “We started in 2017 with, like, 20 people at our first gig. This is incredible.” The Vancouver show may not have been officially sold out, but as I walked around the packed 1,000-person capacity venue there may have been a couple square feet of unoccupied dance space in the back. But I could be wrong about that.
Walking back to my car afterwards I was struck by the throngs of people still partying in the streets of downtown Vancouver. The World Cup only comes around every four years. Hopefully, we can celebrate Nation of Language’s return to Vancouver well before that.
For more information about Nation of Language’s music, videos, and upcoming tour schedule, please visit the band’s website.
Here are some more photos of Nation of Language at Vancouver BC’s Commodore Ballroom on July 19, 2026. All photos courtesy of and copyright Mark Caicedo.
