I recognize that I’m getting to this live music review a little later than most people would get something like this out, but I really want to take a quick sec to talk about Finn Wolfhard’s recent show at the Commodore Ballroom on October 20th, 2026.
I wasn’t exactly seeking a live show to get out to just yet; I’ve been running around like crazy since arriving here on October 1st trying to settle in, find some employment and get my barrings, but I randomly stumbled upon a link promoting Finn’s show and when I peeked at the tickets, snagging a verified resale for $22, I couldn’t say no.
My knowledge of Finn Wolfhard is rather limited, but back in my early days as a Celebrity Interviewer for VULKAN, Finn was one of the actors that landed on my virtual desk. It was pretty early in the Stranger Things craze so we focused on him landing that breakout role and what that whole experience was like… and while I knew he played music then, it was sort of framed as something he and a couple other actors from the ST cast did for fun in their spare time.
Recently I caught his SNL performances and was pelasantly surprised, a little taken aback even by the sound so I went online to look for a bit more. It was more alternative and indie than I expected with a bit of an older, “vintage” colour to it. A little 60’s flare, but still modern, almost like The Strokes meets Pinegrove or something. I couldn’t wholly place it, but it’s well varied across a variety of acts I’m into, so I could see myself getting into it if I spent some more time with it.
So, sure, $22 to see the Canadian kid from Stranger Things at his hometown show? Let’s do it. Let’s see what it really sounds like.
I’ve never been to the Commode Ballroom, or any venue in Vancouver for that matter, but it’s got a rich history in the Vancouver live music scene and I was elated when I entered its doors at 868 Granville Street. It’s truly a beautiful space and much bigger than I thought it would be.
It hold about 1000 people, mostly general admission but there are a great selection of tables on either side of the stage if you grab yourself a reserved seat ticket instead, which I can definitely see the appeal for depending on the show.
Everything was clean and appeared in great repair, feeling very new and fresh which was a bit of a treat coming from someone who mostly attended shows in Toronto’s grungiest of oldschool rock venues. The lighting rig is super pro and really enhanced the performance, both for Finn himself as well as his opener Malcy, who is also based in Vancouver.
So, the show.
Malcy, or Malcolm Craig, took the stage solo; A looping artist who drums and sings with accompanying backing tracks. I was completely unfamiliar, but it was an interesting set. I’ll admit, some of the tracks delve a little further into the weird than I normally go for, but I appreciate when artists like Malcy stretch outside the normal confines of traditional singer-songwriting.
It at times felt particularly Earthy as it maintained its ruminerating atmospheric pulse; it can be a little transcendent even if you’re not wholly sure what exactly Malcy is singing about at the time, often bringing his vocals down to a low undefined murmer. The highlight when he breaks into it is Malcy’s well rehearsed drumming itself… and looking a bit deeper into that is how I learned that his history with Finn goes back many years, collaborating with him as the drummer for he and Finn’s project The Aubrey’s.
Intermission time had me scanning the room while the clock ticked on and I’ll just comment that this really is a great layout for shows. Merch was tucked neatly away in one of the far corner’s out of the way of the couple of bars that hugged the perimeter. If I cared so, I could have gotten a nice little stretch in, but I opted to stay where I was to keep a decent view of the stage while others slid out to refresh their drinks.
When the lights dimmed again, we were treated to Finn’s walk-on music selection… a recording of the Canadian national anthem.
A funny and sort of unexpected choice, although I suppose it shouldn’t be.
I was unprepared for the fact that Finn Wolfhard had put together a set that would fetch as long as it did. He hit the stage just after 9PM and completed with an encore around 10:45PM; I expected maybe an hour tops, but I’m pleased to saay the show didn’t feel like it dragged at all.
Above all else, I was highly impressed by Finn’s energy on stage. As a fan of Stranger Things, I’m pretty well familiar with his acting chops in the series, which if I can be honest for a moment are not bad for the role, but Mike Wheeler was never really a stand-out character in the show – just a necessary one to keep the plot rolling. Comparitively, his sketches on SNL really highlighted his knack for comedy.
On stage at the Commodore, though? Whoa! Who is this kid? I’m of the opinion that Finn shines brightest as the frontman of a rock band and was really quite captivated by the performance as a whole. He’s clearly comfortable here and you can feel it.
The Vancouver show was the last stop on the band’s Common Side Effects tour, so everyone was in top shape in their respective roles; tight and well rehearsed after a number of weeks on the road together.
And that funny feeling where I couldn’t quite place Finn’s sound creeped in and out throughout. At times settling nicely into a 90’s alt-indie sphere, Finn also dabbles into traditional folk and even some country twang depending on the song; Collectively it all just sounds very… Canadian. He obviously listens to a vast variety of music and you can hear small bits of influence across decades of different sounds weaving itself in and out. If I thought of Finn the first time I interviewed him as a bright young eager creative kid who had landed one of the world’s luckiest acting breaks, standing in the audience at his rock show I felt him to be more of an old soul who was really coming into his own.
If I can pick just one track that I really enjoyed out of the whole batch, I’m going to tell you to check out “I’ll Let You Finish.” That’s the track that made me really appreciate his sound and as a fellow musician makes me super eager to get back to my own writing.
Frankly the recording doesn’t do the track justice at all, you have to watch that one live in person. The energy is unparalled.
Thanks Finn Wolfhard & co for a highly memorable first concert experience in your lovely city of Vancouver. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what you’re up to next.
