The Beths
November 16, 2025
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
On Sunday, November 16th, New Zealand indie rock band The Beths stopped at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver for their North American 2025 Tour. The quartet is touring in support of their newest album, Straight Line Was A Lie, which sees the band refining their sound with their fourth studio release.
The band also recently signed with their new label Anti-, which sees a jump in production and mixing, making the album sound full and punchy. What really counts is whether the band can deliver the same sound live as they do in the studio. The Beths are no exception to that, with frontwoman Elizabeth Stokes’ vocals carrying the band’s melodies, with her bandmates providing backing harmonies. Jonathan Pearce (guitar), Benjamin Sinclair (bass), and Tristan Deck (drums) make up the rest of the quartet.
At 9:00 pm, the band casually took the stage, walking out with their instruments and Stokes and Pearce with a steaming cup of tea in hand. The band opened with the title track of their newest album, “Straight Line Was A Lie.” The song showcased the fresh new sounds of the band, but also stayed true to the classic hooky and catchy melodies they’re known for. “No Joy” was up next with The Beths, turning the night up. Jonathan Pierce put on a crunchy guitar tone, and Tristan Deck held it down on the drums while the crowd bobbed their head to the beat.
As the band continued to explore the sounds of “Straight Line Was A Lie,” they also played essential songs spanning their 11-year catalogue, including “Silence Is Golden”, “Future Me Hates Me”, “Jump Rope Gazers” and “Little Death.” Following “When You Know You Know,” Stokes came to the microphone and said, “We are The Beths from Auckland, New Zealand,” to a loud roar of applause. She introduced the members of the band, and they began to banter with the audience, saying that they visited the Vancouver Gastown Steam before the show — which elicited a roar of boos from the audience. From the audience, the band learned that the clock was “fake” and continued to crack jokes between songs.
Ending the night, the band turned to the electric “I’m Not Getting Excited,” getting the dancefloor going, and “Expert in a Dying Field,” showcasing some of the band’s best work. Briefly leaving and coming back on for an encore, the quartet performed “Take.” A deeper cut of the album, the song started slowly before a drum buildup and a tasteful guitar solo — a great sendoff to the night.
The Beths continue to prove with every release, they’re one of the freshest and slept on artists in their genre, with “Straight Line Was A Lie” being no exception. The band’s live sound rivals their studio recordings, and their joy on stage is unmistakable. The Commodore was the perfect venue to see the band up close, and fans should take the chance to see them in a small venue, before they undoubtedly make it big time.
