Dredg: Review of Their Final Show on Tour

Instead of the professional set lists and the pros and cons that we usually give in a review, watching Dredg perform is an experience, and therefore we’ve decided to break free from the usual structure. For their last show in their long tour, we sent someone to the El Rey in Los Angeles who could enjoy the show the most, a fan who has been with the band since the beginning, Erin Rivera.

Here is what she had to say about the show…

I remember going to see Dredg when I was 13 or 14. It remember their shows as always being an incredible experience – very beautiful and such a powerful show. I’d go see Dredg play at the Cactus Club in San Jose (which is now closed) or in Hayward at an old building which use to be a whore house, at a rave/show. Yeah, it was odd, only 5 people other then the bands, and we were all there friends. But no matter where you saw them it was always the same excitement. Just pure passion, emotions in the air, wrapping around you like a blanket in the cold. The feeling was so amazing, you could just close your eyes and lose yourself in it.

When I went to see Dredg at the El Rey in LA, and I was pretty excited to see them since it has been so long. The venue was nice and spacious unlike the shows I had seen them at long ago. When Dredg finally came out, I got this rush of butterflies. They still have the same passion they always had. You can see it. It captures your attention, even if you don’t want it too. People still react the same way, singing along, flipping out, and jumping around.

I love the way Gavin dances and sings like nobody is watching. Like he’s in a empty room… but we’re watching, we’re all watching.

Dredg makes you want to sit by their feet and soak up the passion and energy. Although in some ways they have turned into a trendy band (weird), they still hold the passion that they did 15 some years ago.

The true (or possibly old) Dredg does come out here and there but I feel like they are making music for other people but not themselves, which no one else seems to have the courage to do. When I start to try and think about anything negative I can say or any critics all I can think about it the last song, which turned into the most beautiful song’s that I have ever seen performed. I imagine doves in the mist, an angel flying with her dress fluttering.

Truly a beautiful show.

Wow… I don’t think anyone could have said it better.

Check out the Dredg interview that we did with Mark Engles and Gavin Hayes in front of the El Rey directly before the show.