Blank Banshee at Brighton Music Hall, 11/9/23

I remember being in middle school when I was introduced to Blank Banshee’s unique take on electronic music. Everything from his ambient yet bouncy style, internet-derived aesthetics, and cryptic persona drew me in. The mask-donning Canadian producer has a knack for crafting nostalgic and dream-like soundscapes with an eerie edge to them. Experimenting with different sample material and sound selection over the years has culminated with Blank Banshee releasing his 2023 album 4D, a dark, synth-heavy IDM album filled top-to-bottom with entirely original and experimental electronic compositions.

I had the pleasure of seeing Blank Banshee tour for the first time since 2019 to support this release. Brighton Music Hall was the perfect venue for this show, providing an intimate environment for Blank Banshee to engage with the audience.

Before the show even began, he set up an hour-long countdown on the projection screen as miscellaneous songs he curated played and a smoke machine built up ambiance. When the timer reached zero, the circus tent that was projected on the screen moved closer and closer and Blank Banshee made his grand appearance on stage.

Starting off with a bang, he got right into the aggressive and thumping sounds found all throughout 4D. The set was incredibly energetic, with Blank Banshee playing songs from across his discography and accompanying them with his computer-generated music videos as visuals, transporting us into a realm characterized by robot doves dispensed from vending machines and fish enclosed in iPads. 

He was also not afraid to put a spin on things, adding new elements to songs, remixing them live by changing the tempo and structure, and using his drum pad controller to add live finger drumming. 

Some of my favorite moments of the night had to be songs like the bright and inspiring “Good Times” and the industrial banger “Scud,” both off of 4D, and older songs such as the aquatic “Eco Zones” from 2013’s Blank Banshee 1 and the wonky “Dreamcast” and “Teen Pregnancy” from his 2012 breakout album Blank Banshee 0. Hearing some of these songs live, especially the older ones like “Teen Pregnancy” was truly something special considering that they served as some of my first introductions to underground music scenes like vaporwave that would go on to heavily mold my future music taste. My middle school self felt very fulfilled.

After a jam-packed, hour-long set, Blank Banshee took his drum pad with him off stage, but he made sure to walk by the barricade to dap everyone there up and even made his way around so that everyone that wanted to meet him could take a picture with him. The line was long too! One would have expected him to go right backstage after the show given how private and elusive his public persona is, but it was truly an incredible gesture and you could really feel his appreciation and gratitude toward every single person that came out to see him perform.

Seeing the disco ball style mask live as he worked his magic on the pads and knobs was spectacular and I would highly recommend that any fan of alternative electronic music try to catch him live. A constant innovator, Blank Banshee is certainly one to keep your eye on as he continues to change up his sound, and I cannot wait to see where he takes it next.

Also make sure to check out the interview I had with Blank Banshee here - Setting the Record Straight: An Interview with Blank Banshee