Regular readers of this blog will probably be aware of Rich Aucoin’s legendary live shows, and/or how I feel about them. It’s one of the most unique, uplifting, and engaging live shows going, and your time is running our to see it. Aucoin has previously announced that after a couple more tours, he will be retiring this version of his performance. So I hope you were at the Fox Cabaret last night, or plan to be at an upcoming one throughout his Is This The Real Life? tour (or when he returns for the next one).

Arriving a little late to the venue, I missed Devours, getting there just before Petra Glynt started. With an entire table of musical gadgets stretched out in front of her, she performed what she called a “machine set”, playing and looping everything live -- except when running into a bit of tech troubles. The experimental pop sound was bolstered by her vocal prowess, going from a breathy to a harsh to fragile throughout her set, a few times letting a loop play so she could stalk the front of the stage.

Not long after, the curtains parted and a timer started counting down to the “preshow” for Rich Aucoin. After a word from our sponsor & coming attractions -- built off memes, movie clips, and mashups -- an AI introduced the show and the crowd was tasked with summoning the narrator for the night: Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Governator pumped the crowd up, getting everyone used to the frequent instructions & lyrics that would be appearing on screen, interspersed with more movie clips, viral videos, and more all perfectly synced to the songs throughout the set.

At this point Rich hit the stage, joined by drummer Tony Dallas and Pete MacDonald on bass, starting with “Space Western” to build the tension as the ‘opening credits’ flashed on the screen, giving shoutouts to people in the crowd. From there Rich burst into “Meaning in Life”, leading the first sing (yell) along, as he smoothly transitioned into synth pop bangers like “The Other” and “Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E.” leading the crowd from the front of the stage, shooting off confetti, and even jumping into the mass of people to dance.

Part way through the set, ‘Chapter 2’ started, where Rich transitioned into songs from Synthetic, a four-part album (the first two Seasons are out now, the other two coming within the next year). The instrumentals kept up the same energy, accompanied by psychedelic imagery on screen, while everyone continued to move, especially those on stage. Even behind his synth, Rich could barely be still for a moment, radiating energy, and Tony Dallas more than kept pace as he clattered the drums.

After a few instrumentals, Rich went into “Undead” for more crowd participation, reminded us that “We are not dead yet, we are undead”, and one my favourite of his “Want to Believe”, which was mashed up with “4 More Years” — a song that was released nearly 10 years ago but feels incredibly timely after a global pandemic with line “What good are friends you cannot touch?”.

Then it was time for the centerpiece of Rich’s set, as Tony Dallas started to unfurl the parachute. The big rainbow canvas made its way across the Fox as the entire room huddled under (or grabbed the edges) for a cathartic dance party to “Are You Experiencing?”, Rich in the middle of it all letting everyone know “When you give it all up, you get it back”

All too soon, the set drew to a close with another one of my faves, “It”, backed by the song’s music video full of recreated movie scenes. For the final goodbye, Rich waded into the crowd for one last communal experience, a big singalong to “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Or, it started that way before Rich made sure everyone was looking at the lyrics on the screen and switching up to the smash hit “All Star”... but still to the tune of the Queen classic.

Since the first time I saw Rich Aucoin perform live, back in 2011, I’ve probably seem him a dozen or so times. And somehow I am no less enthralled by his show. The way he brings everyone in the room together is almost unparalleled; I’ve probably only seen one band do it better, and that’s The Flaming Lips. I hope everyone gets the chance to experience it before the show is retired.