A Night to Remember: Thou Live at The Warehouse
Thou has been a personal favorite of mine for the past year and a half, and their collaboration with Emma Ruth Rundle has solidified their place in my heart. Their album Umbilical was my top pick for 2024, and their acoustic album has been on constant rotation. After a long wait, I finally had the chance to see them live, and it was nothing short of incredible.
The Venue: The Warehouse
The concert took place at a mysterious venue in Richmond, Virginia, known simply as “The Warehouse.” This place can best be described as a blend of a garage, a haunted house, and an unfinished basement. The dimly-lit atmosphere set the stage for an intimate and raw experience. Upon arrival, I had the pleasure of meeting Bryan, who graciously signed the records I brought along. Shortly after, I bumped into Mitch, who not only complimented my The Day the Earth Stood Still shirt but also introduced me to Andy and Matthew. Tyler was easy to find in the crowd, and we all shared a moment of camaraderie.
Mitch and I dove into a conversation about overdrive pedals, where he shared some fascinating lore about the album cover for May Our Chambers Be Full. Fun fact: that’s him on the cover!
Opening Acts: City of Caterpillar
Among the four opening acts, my favorite was undoubtedly City of Caterpillar. Hailing from Richmond, their sound resonates with the intensity of East Coast screamo bands like Orchid. The heart of their live performance is Brandon Evans (guitar/vocals), whose energetic movements and aggressive vocal style set the tone for the entire show.
The energy was palpable as Evans utilized his guitar stand as a slide, and their drummer brought the chaos into the crowd, rhythmically smashing empty liquor bottles into a modified traffic barrel. Concertgoers were practically climbing over each other, shouting lyrics, while the bassist had to dodge spilled beers from the mosh pit. Even though I’m not an expert in screamo, it was clear that City of Caterpillar is a band worth watching.
The Main Event: Thou Takes the Stage
As the clock approached midnight, Thou took the stage, opening with “The Song of Illuminate Darkness.” They quickly followed with “I Feel Nothing When You Cry,” a song that has become a personal mantra for me. I had mentioned this to Mitch before the show, and he promised to make sure they played it. True to his word, the band delivered, and it was a moment I’ll cherish forever.
The setlist leaned heavily on their more uptempo tracks from their latest release, Umbilical. Hearing these songs live was a surreal experience, especially since it was my album of the year for 2024.
The Energy of the Crowd
As expected, the pit was alive with energy. At one point, a guy lost his phone, and another had his ID knocked out of him, both items making their way to the stage. The phone was returned after a few selfies, while Bryan humorously called out the name on the ID. The owner, in a spirit of good humor, told him to keep it as a souvenir. Let’s hope he didn’t get pulled over on his way home!
The band trudged through “House of Ideas” before closing with the dissonant, sludgy “Skinwalker,” followed by a cover of Cower’s “Get Me Out.” Just as the last notes faded, Bryan offered a quick “Thank you,” marking the end of one of the most exhilarating shows I’ve ever attended.
The Importance of DIY Spaces
DIY spaces like The Warehouse are sacred. They foster a sense of community and support for local bands and artists. If you ever have the chance to attend a show at such a venue, seize it. Support live music and keep your local scene vibrant.
This unforgettable night was organized by Dark Days Bright Nights, a Richmond-based festival dedicated to showcasing DIY bands and artists from the heavy music scene. All photos, except for the one of my record and the one of Bryan enjoying a banana, are courtesy of Michael Thorn.
