Cymande at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver

Cymande’s July 27 stop at the Commodore Ballroom felt like a celebration of history, rhythm, and rare groove royalty finally getting their due. The British funk legends, whose early-‘70s catalog became essential crate-digger gold and a backbone for countless hip-hop tracks, delivered a performance that was both deeply nostalgic and fiercely alive for their first time in Vancouver.

Original members Patrick Patterson (guitar) and Steve Scipio (bass) led the nine-piece band with the kind of calm authority that comes from five decades of doing this. No flashy entrance, just straight into the music. Judging by the crowd, which ranged from older vinyl heads to younger fans lured in by samples and documentaries, a lot of people enjoyed getting right into it.

The set pulled heavily from their 1972 debut, including “Dove,” “Bra,” and “The Message,” each groove unfolding slowly, backed by a tight rhythm section and horn lines that punched through the haze. Newer tracks from their 2025 album Renascence held their own, especially “Sweden” and “Chasing an Empty Dream,” which slotted in perfectly next to the classics.

Between solos, smiles, and soul, the band made a strong case for Cymande not just as a “revival act,” but as living legends still evolving. It was mellow. It was funky. And it was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the message really is the music.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer