While She Sleeps Tore Through The Danforth Music Hall and Rebuilt Us in Their Image

After a day of cinematic sunshine that felt like a reward for surviving Ontario’s temper tantrum of sleet, snow, and slush the day before, I cruised into Toronto under a golden sky and the kind of spring air that practically dared you not to smile. When I arrived, there wasn’t much of a scene outside The Danforth Music Hall, but inside, the energy was already building. Fans packed into the lobby, lining up for merch—and scoring more than just shirts. Lawrence Taylor of While She Sleeps was right there in the mix, posing for selfies with anyone who asked. No VIP barricades, no ego—just a genuine moment between artist and audience. The kind that sticks with you.

Vended: The Young Blood Roars

Vended may be considered “up and coming,” but their sound hits like they’ve been headlining for a decade. Griffin Taylor’s vocals are fire and grit, echoing his Slipknot lineage but forging something all his own. Simon Crahan is an animal behind the kit—like he’s drumming his way out of a cage.

The set kicked off with the sheer force of “Nihilism”, and by the time they dropped “Pitiful”, the floor had transformed into a storm. No filler, no breathing room—just nuclear-powered energy. They’re not riding coattails. They’re shredding them.

Bury Tomorrow: Heavy with Heart

Bury Tomorrow brought emotional gravity to the chaos. Their sound is sharp, layered, and devastating in the best way. “DEATH (Ever Colder)” and “Boltcutter” were tidal waves of force, while “Let Go” slowed things down just enough for a collective exhale.

Mid-set, Daniel Winter-Bates took a moment to speak directly to the crowd about unity, connection, and his deep-rooted love for Canada. He mentioned nearly moving here as a teen and had the entire venue link arms—from the barricade to the back wall—as one massive, sweaty, screaming family. For a few minutes, the Danforth felt less like a venue and more like a shared moment, where the line between the band and the crowd wasn’t just blurred—it was completely erased.

While She Sleeps: Born of Fire, Built on Brotherhood

When While She Sleeps hit the stage, it was less a performance and more a detonation. “RAINBOWS” cracked the sky open, and from there it was a full-body experience of chaos, melody, and jaw-clenching riffs.”

Midway through the set, Lawrence Taylor paused to acknowledge Ryan filling in for Mat Welsh, who had just welcomed a baby boy—Ren—into the world. The crowd roared in celebration. It was another reminder that this band doesn’t just play for you—they play with you.

At one point, Lawrence Taylor told us to ditch the phones, grab the person next to us, and prove we gave a damn. And we did. The crowd wasn’t just listening anymore — we were the storm, locked in chaos, our arms tight, and the noise shaking us all into one.

And then came “Silence Speaks”, dedicated to Tristen and his dad in the balcony. It was thunder and tenderness wrapped in distortion, and it hit harder than any encore could.

While She Sleeps have spent 15 years defining their place in metalcore, and tonight, that legacy echoed through every breakdown and scream. From Lawrence Taylor’s grandparents’ garage to commanding stages across the globe, their energy hit us like a freight train. As the final note rang out, the room carried the mark of a band that’s fought for every ounce of respect. Their journey continues at Olympia de Montréal, but tonight, they made it clear — this battle is far from over.

Final Thoughts: Chaos and Unity in the Pit

The venue was far from sold out, but you’d never know it from the energy in the room. Crowd-surfing waves, circle pits, and a community that ran deeper than the merch lines. These bands performed like they were playing to a sold-out arena—and honestly, it felt like one.

A huge thanks to Sarah and Bernice from Looters for the accreditation — their support made this review possible.

While She Sleeps

Bury Tomorrow

Vended

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Drew Osborne

I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.