The city of Sacramento has never been known as a hotbed for music, but every now and then, the city seems to have a hidden surprise waiting to be discovered. Not too long ago, Dance Gavin Dance emerged from Sacramento and found national prominence. Despite a slew of lineup changes over the years, the progressive rock outfit has managed to find some semblance of mainstream success over an extended period. More than half a dozen albums later, Dance Gavin Dance can go on tour in any corner of North America and know that they’re going to have a strong following of fans that want to see them perform.

What’s in a Style

Part of the secret sauce that makes Dance Gavin Dance such a fun band to see live is that nobody can quite put their finger on the band’s style. Genres like progressive rock, math rock, and post-hardcore have all been used to try to put the band in a box. But the truth is that no box can encompass all that Dance Gavin Dance represents musically. Part of the reason is that the group has more past members than current members. But even the members that have been in the band from the start admit that each member brings a different element to the table, creating a fusion of different styles that nobody can nail down. After all, how many bands can say that the likes of Radiohead, the Temptations, and Usher have all played an equal role in influencing the group’s sound?

Can’t Get Enough of the Road

If the unique sound of Dance Gavin Dance isn’t enough for fans, most are drawn in by the fact that the group genuinely loves to tour and play live shows. The band will often embark on multiple tours in the same year, always striving to attract new fans and build an audience. Dance Gavin Dance even created its own festival called SwanFest as a way to play more concerts and share the stage with other great bands. After all, isn’t that the dream of any musician?