What does it mean to belong? At Terminus Fest, Devours showed us the answer. Originally from Nanaimo, Jeff Cancade launched Devours after moving away from their home town and coming out. Devours embodies the outsider, shirking the status quo and rigid beauty standards in favour of unabashed bliss and total self-expression, even if the world is crumbling around them. They tell of their past with an honest vulnerability that's more often found in country music than electronic music. On "Homecoming Queen," they recall their hometown, high school, small-town homophobia and their relationship to their dad. Cancade's very personal and sometimes painful connection to the music adds a palpable authenticity that you can really feel when they plays these songs live.
Devours is hardly one to bring the party down, though, and they made sure the more reflective songs didn't take up too much of the set. Even when the themes were darker, the vibe rarely dipped. "I'm going to do the unthinkable — I'm going to play a power ballad" Cancade quipped before launching into "Medusa Unleaded." But even in a ballad, Devours rises from the sadness to reach a full-throated crescendo, seeking to relate and connect by letting go of toxicity and worrying about "being priced out of existence." All these themes are dealt with through a cathartic release of electro-pop delirium.
Devours' response to all the weird and painful parts of life is simple: Dance. Not one to shy away from experimenting, Cancade skirts the line of avant-garde but never leaves the realm of dance music. Glitchy and bright hyperpop that remains approachable because it's grounded by its relatable lyrics, Cancade's music pulled from a myriad of influences, electronic or otherwise to build a rich and engaging performance. It was a confident and dynamic set that explored the highs and lows of the human experience. But most importantly, Devours taught us that we all belonged, right there on that dance floor.