Parker Crook
Morning Star Staff
The crowd fills the stands at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, patiently awaiting the night’s entertainment.
Lights brighten the stage, and the crowd erupts into uproarious applause as City and Colour, Dallas Green, appears and makes his away across the stage. He immediately picks up his acoustic, and the crowd goes wild as Green begins strumming to the beat of Little Hell.
Dallas Green, also known as City and Colour, played a sold-out, 19 song acoustic set at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre April 13. It was Green’s first time performing in Vernon.
The lights dim as Little Hell ends. Seconds later, the lights come back on and Green plays an acoustic rendition of Fragile Bird before weaving seamlessly into Friends.
Finally, Green pauses between songs.
“Thank you for doing this Dallas,” yells someone in the audience.
“I’m not going to lie,” says Green. “I’m doing it for myself. I’m just glad you guys are enjoying it.”
Green utilizes his older material, playing only a handful of songs from City and Colour’s most recent release (If I Should Go Before You).
Like Knives ends, and Green invites out his old friend, Kelowna’s Matt Kelly.
As the duo serenades the audience, eight orange orbs ignite at the back of the stage. After they jam out a few more tunes, Christmas lights are flicked on at their feet, creating the illusion of candles surrounding the musicians as they play an intimate show.
Kelly plays eight tracks with Green up until Lover Come Back.
“Play some Alexisonfire,” shouts a man in the back of the auditorium. It was his first interruption of the night.
“Woah, bud. Calm down,” says Green.
”As Much As I Ever Could,” yells another.
“Cool your jets,” says Green.
He finishes his 15th song of the night, As Much As I Ever Could, before standing up and exiting stage right.
The crowd is animated as they cheer and whistle in hopes of bringing City and Colour back for more.
A roadie walks on stage, carrying the guitar he had just taken off stage. The crowd is louder than ever as Green walks back to his chair and picks up the guitar.
“10 more songs,” booms the crowd.
“Well, maybe not that many,” laughs Green.
Green plays Coming Home for his 16th song, and transitions into Alexisonfire’s This Could Be Anywhere In The World, seemingly to please the man at the back.
Green pulls out a harmonica.
“Usually when I write songs I’m pretty selfish,” says Green. “But this song I wrote attempting to help people. If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, this one’s for you.”
As Against The Grain ends, Green calls Kelly back on stage.
“How have you been?” Green asks.
“Good.”
“Not much has changed.”
The duo powers through The Girl, and the crowd loves it.
“Last song. If you know it, sing it with us.”
The crowd, Green, and Kelly belt City and Colour’s Sleeping Sickness.
Green waves to the audience as the lights come on and he walks off the stage to a standing ovation.
“Thank you very much, everybody, for coming to the first City and Colour tour in Vernon.”
