MJ Lenderman
September 19, 2025
Malkin Bowl, Vancouver, BC
Canadian Beats Passport
On Friday, September 19th, indie rock/alt-country singer-songwriter MJ Lenderman, once again on tour, stopped at the Malkin Bowl in Vancouver to close out his 2025 summer road trip. Backed by his touring band The Wind, the group delivered a no gimmicks, good old-fashioned rock show.
Playing the Rickshaw Theatre earlier this year in February to a sold-out crowd, Lenderman was scheduled to come back to Vancouver to play the Commodore Ballroom. But after the show sold out so quickly, it was moved to the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. In just seven months, he’s gone from a 700-capacity theatre to a 2,400-capacity venue—a clear sign of the indie artist’s rapid ascent.
Around 8:15, MJ Lenderman & The Wind took to the stage. No epic intro, no dramatic lighting, and no dimming of the lights—the band casually strolled on stage, catching the audience off guard and took to their instruments. Heads turned, and conversations paused as all eyes went to the stage. The band opened with “Rudolph,” a catchy tune with some groovy guitar licks from Lenderman’s most recent 2024 album, Manning Fireworks. The album has gotten universal acclaim, and the band got to run through all the tracks of the album throughout the 90-minute set. One standout track of the album and the fourth song of the set was “Wristwatch.” The infectious pedal steel guitar parts, coupled with an interesting vocal harmony and catchy chorus, are only a few things that make it one of the best tracks off of Manning Fireworks.
MJ Lenderman & The Wind delivered a tight, yet laid-back performance that truly resonated with the audience. The fact that Lenderman returned to Vancouver just seven months later to play for a crowd nearly three times the size speaks volumes. Fans are eager to see what comes next in the studio for the indie rock/alt-country singer-songwriter, after a successful 2024 release with so many fan favourites.
