Movements - Spring Tour 2025
History
March 20, 2025
With Downward, Scowl & Citizen
On the evening of March 20, History hosted Movements Spring Tour 2025, featuring Citizen, Scowl, and Downward. From Movements' anthemic moments to Scowl's gritty punk spirit, the night celebrated both nostalgia and fresh energy in the alternative music scene.
Photos by Connor Watt
Cascaded in red light, Oklahoma-based Downward kicks off the show. At the beginning of this tour, they released Downward (2), the latest album on New Morality Zine—a mix of shoegaze and alternative rock. You can hear influences of Radiohead, with the lead singer giving a Thom Yorke-inspired sound. By the second song, a plucky guitar solo accompanied the melancholy obscured vocals, and the crowd began to warm up. There were so many mullets in the room that you could have convinced me a Nascar race had just ended.
Photos by Connor Watt
Downward’s sonic descent is replaced with a renewed vitality. Scowl bursts on stage before I can get back to my spot after returning a dropped vape. Lead vocalist Kat Moss is impossible to miss with UV reactive lime hair and a husky scream. She was constantly in motion. From two stepping between verses to dancing across the stage, her energy was so contagious that when she invited the crowd to “move your body like a fucking freak,” we all obliged. Though the songs were noticeably short, they still packed a hardcore punch. Bands like this reinforce the reason never to miss the openers.
Photos by Connor Watt
The moment Mat Kerekes initiated The Night I Drove Alone, every phone in the venue was recording (and I ruined them all with my singing along). Midwest emo revivalists Citizen had the audience in the palm of their hand. At least half a dozen unfinished drinks were launched at the ceiling so their consumers could join the push pit for In The Middle Of It All. It was obvious that a vast majority of attendees were there only to see them, as the crowd dissolved once their set ended.
Photos by Connor Watt
Those who remained greeted Movements with synchronized overhead clapping for their first song Afraid To Die and waited for Lead Pipe’s chorus before crowdsurfing. The production was simple but effective. Background stage lights followed the guitar's lead at one point, changing colour with each strum. I have seen Movements three times throughout the years, and Patrick’s vocals have always been a highlight. However, I cannot unhear Morty when he recites the spoken word ending of Full Circle. Sorry to ruin it for you.
Photo by Connor Watt
As the set hit the midpoint, it was clear that fans were much more receptive to pre-RUCKUS! songs. In an attempt to generate excitement for the new song Where I Lay released just under a month ago, Toronto was put into a contest with New York and Philly to see who could sing it the loudest. I can’t remember who won because I got distracted by the drummer Spencer York’s long elven hair billowing in some sort of artificial breeze that left me thinking, “Does he have a personal wind machine?”
Patrick revealed that the fun packs available at the merch table had raffle tickets that granted you free entry to a Movements show for life in the city of your choosing. Though the offer was very tempting, he admitted that “after this tour we’re going to go away for a bit and write some more music.” While the night may have come to an end with the promise of a creative hiatus, it’s clear that these artists left an indelible mark on their audience, and the wait for their return will be well worth it.