Lance Pettis
Jul 4, 2026
New material from "Pantheon" sat comfortably beside longtime fan favorites, as Dance Gavin Dance delivered a career-spanning performance driven by the chemistry of its current lineup.
Dance Gavin Dance returns to The Van Buren in Phoenix, AZ with pure energy that brings the confidence of a band that has spent more than two decades carving out its own distinct line and sound (Swan core). The band that formed in Sacramento back in 2005 has set new heights with this current lineup featuring Will Swan, Mathew Mingus, Sergio Medina, Martin Bianchini, Jon Mess, and Andrew Wells. Their evolving sound continues to show through, making them a staple of the post-hardcore music scene.
Riding the momentum of their 2025 album Pantheon and the recent live release of Tree City Session 3, the band arrived with an expansive set list that highlighted and celebrated every era of their career. Before the moment the lights dimmed lower, the fans were already feeling the energy with chants screaming "Dance Gavin Dance" repeatedly, making The Van Buren echo with excitement, and then you hear the opening notes of “Animal Surgery"; it was clear that they were about to give this widespread tour a taste and a performance of their career that’s been twenty years building.
If only you could feel the atmosphere inside the venue; it felt electric, so pulling from start to finish while hit after hit played brought sing-alongs through the crowd with favorites like “Chunky vs. The Giant Tortoise” and “Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most."
Every member brought a very distinct energy to the stage, with Jon Mess’s unmistakable screams complementing Andrew Wells' soulful vocal range and outstanding melodies, while Will Swan's signature guitar work shone on tracks like “Speed Demon” and “Synergy." Backed by Mathew Mingus' drumming, Sergio Medina’s bass skills, and Martin Bianchini's tight rhythm playing. The band's chemistry felt entirely natural rather than rehearsed, fueling directly from the crowd's excitement. Whether they were playing the new tracks or a long-time favorite, the momentum never dipped for one moment.
What made the night truly memorable wasn’t just the technical talent they brought but a refusal to rely solely on nostalgia, which made the night feel unique in a way. As we all know, Dance Gavin Dance thrived on pushing boundaries, and their Phoenix performance proved they are still that same band from 2 decades ago, climbing to even higher heights.
As the night closed with an outstanding list of encores they brought to the table and the final notes were sung and played. They left us reminded why live music matters, because nothing leaves you feeling in awe as when the house lights come on and the whole time you just wished it never ended, so I guess we will have to wait till next time, DGD fans.
Photography by Lance Pettis (Sound Wave Photos)
