Photos and review by Nicole Marsan. All photos ©Nicole Marsan, used with permission by United By Pop.
When Marianas Trench took the stage, the energy inside the venue was nothing short of dynamic. As the lights dimmed and a faint haze of smoke drifted across the stage, the sounds of rain, strings, and synthesizers built a cinematic tension and set the stage before erupting into “A Normal Life,” the opening track from their latest album, Haven. One by one, singer Josh Ramsay, guitarist Matt Webb, drummer Ian Casselman, and bassist Chris Wong (filling in for band member Mike Ayley due to injury) appeared through the mist to deafening cheers.
The Force of Nature Tour stage design mirrored themes from Haven, complete with grassy patches, clouds, lightning bolts, and a kaleidoscope of lights that transformed the venue into a living, breathing dreamscape. White flecks drifted through the air like snow under the lights, creating the illusion of a storm both onstage and in spirit.
Sonically, Marianas Trench were impeccable. Ramsay’s soaring vocals anchored the performance, pushing emotional and technical limits song after song, while Webb, Casselman, and Wong’s harmonies wrapped around his voice with effortless precision. Those lush four-part harmonies, a Marianas Trench signature, were especially stunning during “Worlds Collide” and “Turn and Run,” two Haven highlights that showcased both the band’s musicianship and their flair for the dramatic.
The setlist struck a careful balance between nostalgia and innovation. Fans roared when Ramsay took a moment to poll the crowd on who had been there since the Masterpiece Theatre days, grinning when cheers erupted in response. As a nod to those longtime fans, the band performed an electrifying mash-up of “Cross My Heart,” “Celebrity Status,” and “Shake Tramp,” a sequence that reignited memories and energy from their early years.
The momentum never waned across cheeky performances like “Pop 101,” introspective moments with “Desperate Measures,” and symphonic ballads like “Down to You.” At one point, guitarist Matt Webb took over lead vocals for “All to Myself” and “Who Do You Love,” a playful and unexpected treat for the audience. The night’s emotional peak came with a stripped-down performance of “Good to You.” Alone with his guitar, Ramsay’s raw, aching delivery had many in the audience moved by the moment. But true to form, Marianas Trench ended on a high note, with finale songs “Stutter” and “Fallout.”
In an era where many live shows can feel routine or predictable, Marianas Trench proved once again that their performances are anything but. Marianas Trench guided fans through an exhilarating journey, blending brand-new songs from Haven with their beloved hits spanning Fix Me, Masterpiece Theatre, Ever After, Astoria, and Phantoms. The transitions between eras felt seamless- proof of how consistent and cohesive their sound remains even as it evolves. In the end, Marianas Trench delivered something refreshingly real: a performance bursting with heart, theatricality, and connection. And for those lucky enough to be there, it was a night they won’t soon forget.
