City and Colour

Dallas Green (aka City and Colour) is probably my favourite singer-songwriter still living. I was a huge fan of his former post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, for which he played guitar and provided clean vocals, and as sad as I was to see them go them separate ways, Green was always destined for greater things. His singing voice is nothing short of angelic – he has hands-down the most captivating live vocals I have ever heard. Not only does he boast a formidable range – everything from a gruff country croon to a soaring falsetto – but his ear for a melody is the most on-point since the late, great Elliott Smith. I first saw him live at The Forum in London in 2010 and his passionate delivery blew me away. His albums are predominantly made up of melodic folk, but live a fully backing band adds rock’n’roll and blues to elevate his acoustic ballads above standard singer-songwriter fare. But the time I next saw him, the following year at London’s Roundhouse, his confidence had grown so much that the show incorporated heavier guitar rock not a million miles away from Alexisonfire (or at least the their lighter side). But the moment every fan hopes for when going to a City and Colour show is when he stands solo on the stage and delivers his early, heart-on-sleeve acoustic ballads – Green’s ‘Comin’ Home’, ‘Sometimes (I Wish)’ and ‘Day Old Hate’ are incredibly rewarding to see performed in the flesh. In short: I love City and Colour.

You have to imagine there were a fair few Alexisonfire fans who got a serious shock when the band’s original singer, Dallas Green, unveiled City and Colour as his solo project. The Canadians veered between hardcore and screamo, so few of them can have reasonably expected a mellow, introspective folk rock outfit to effectively rise from their ashes. That’s precisely what Green’s been gravitating towards since, though, with four records already under his belt and a new look - glasses and a fedora - more befitting the quiet-man persona he’s embraced. On stage, flanked by a full band, Green actually keeps things fairly diverse; granted, he’s yet to be tempted to throw in any full-borne renditions of Alexisonfire classics, but he does veer between no-frills acoustic balladry - see the epic "What Makes a Man" - and Iron and Wine-esque, pseudo-country noodling. You get the impression that he’s ultimately cultivated a very different kind of fanbase to the one he was used to playing to back in his hardcore days, but what unites them is a similar level of dedication; Green’s certainly the common denominator, and perhaps you can put that down to his lyrics - when he’s performing, he’s often laying himself bare in the process.

Paradiso Amsterdam 2020-02-23. Dallas Green (City and Colour) decided to do this tour solo instead of playing with a band. The reason to do so was the sad loss of his friend and collaborator Karl ''horse'' Bareham. Most songs he did play solo while some were accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Matt Kelly on guitar, piano or pedal steel guitar. This all made it very intimate and personal, which was picked up by a warm and enthusiastic audience that helped him out by singing along. He really did touch many hearts tonight with his beautiful songs, which of course sounded different, more personal, stripped of all electric instruments and effects. It was a great concert. Impressive!

I have seen City and Colour as well as Alexisonfire many times. I have even had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Green. He is a gem with the voice of an angel. There hasn't been an artist that moved me lyrically to this degree since Joni Mitchell... circa the BLUE album. That being said...the opening acts were great...particularly Tokyo Police Club and Young the Giant. But... City and Colour was utterly fantastic...and the universe must agree there were fireworks and flights of birds that magically appeared during the performance...at least it felt like magic...heaven sent.

What an amazing City & Colour show, I'm still smiling from ear to ear! Dallas Green is an amazing musician and tonight's show was a wonderful celebration of that. The backdrop of the Buffalo waterfront made for a magical experience. The sound was incredible and his band rocked the house. The lights were another incredible addition to this year's tour. Thanks for an amazing show and a fantastic evening of live music!
Openers Young the Giant & Tokyo Police Club also put on great shows. All around a great mix of talents.

Dallas Green!! Amazing wether it’s city and colour or alexisonfire, he does not disappoint. My wife and I saw him years ago the night we Got engaged. He ended the night with the girl as his encore and played we found in each other in the dark which really hits home for us. I hope he comes back near us so we could him live again. Dallas Green live is just as if not better than on a recording. He’s the only artist that I have bought every vinyl for his music. Amazing!!!!

The best ever concert! The band were amazing, Dallas Green outstanding and the whole lighting show was truly the best I have ever seen. Lucy Rose and her band were supporting and Dallas popped out halfway through to duet with her, such a nice bloke. Fantastic venue ( The Dome Concert Hall, Brighton ) Brilliant night and can't wait til next time! City and Colour played both new and old songs and it was all superb!!!!!

City and Colour was so great that the show seemed too short. I wish there was an intermission to make it feel longer than what it seemed to me. Regardless, I was satisfied and Dallas sounded exactly the same as his recordings. I don't know any other artist that has the same voice and his writing is excellent. I'm surprised he doesn't have as many following as other group, but I'm sure that's gonna change.

This was my second show and I was not left short of having an AMAZING TIME! Dallas Green is one of the most talented musicians out there and I believe that everyone should go to at least one of his shows. He is a role model and impacts my life daily with his music and I have been a fan for almost 10 years now and I plan on attending my 3rd show this august while he performs in Denver! I cannot wait!

City and Color played a mesmerizing show at First Ave in Minneapolis. Dallas and the band played perfectly, and offered great respect to the venue, as well as thoughtful words to the First Ave team members in honoring the loss of one of their beloved friends through a dedicated song. It's not all the time that a band can come in and play as if they are right at home, but they certainly did!