Rain City Drive made their tour stop in Seattle on October 24th at the Substation, a venue known for its gritty, underground vibe, perfect for a night of post-hardcore energy. Supporting them on this tour were Nightlife, Siamese, Until I Wake, and Belmont—each bringing their own unique sound and energy that complemented Rain City Drive’s sound. I hadn’t heard Nightlife or Belmont prior to the show but they’re both definitely in my “melodic metalcore types of songs I want to listen to going into 2025” rotation on Spotify now.
Nightlife and Siamese brought a mix of smooth melodies and heavier breakdowns that kept the crowd on their toes. Belmont’s set was sharp and high-energy, but it was Until I Wake that really stood out. Their mix of aggression and melody felt like a natural lead-in to Rain City Drive’s sound, and personally I’ve been a fan of Until I Wake for quite a while, so it truly was a treat to get to see them both in the same place at the same time.
Rain City Drive’s set was everything fans could hope for. They delivered a mix of their older hits along with their newest tracks including “Medicate Me”, all with the same powerful sound and raw emotion that has built their reputation. Its always a bit surreal when you listen to a band for months and months on end, and then have the opportunity to be at a venue watching them where there is no pit, just a stage and fans, up close and personal. After I’d shot the photos I was satisfied with from the openers and the first half of Rain City Drive’s set. I just took the opportunity to get into the crowd and enjoy the songs I knew by heart, and sing them at the top of my lungs.
One moment I was hoping for (a long shot, to be fair) —a guest appearance from Dayseeker’s lead singer on “Medicate” which didn’t happen, despite Dayseeker having played in Seattle the night before. Even without that surprise, the band’s performance of the song hit hard, with the crowd more than making up for the absence with their voices.
The Substation itself was packed, “butts to nuts” one might say, to the point where the air was thick and humid, and condensation was literally dripping from the overhead HVAC pipes. It added to the raw, underground atmosphere, but it definitely made things feel cramped and sticky. Photographing the show was challenging due to the lack of space, but the venue’s security team was surprisingly accommodating, allowing me access to the elevated soundboard area for a few minutes to snap some shots, and allowing me to stay at the side of the stage to grab the photos I wanted to see.
Overall, this show was a perfect reminder of why Seattle’s underground scene still thrives—it’s gritty, sweaty, and intimate in the best possible way. Rain City Drive’s powerful sound and emotionally charged performance left a lasting impression, and I’d definitely see them again. Their ability to connect with the audience through both music and lyrics is something special, and they’re only getting better with time.
The band is temporarily off of their 37 day US touring circuit and taking some time off in prep for their upcoming European tour that starts at the end of November 2024 in Germany. Catch them on tour overseas if you can, they’ll be joined by Dayseeker and Heart of Gold, and you could be in the lucky audience to catch Dayseeker and Rain City Drive together, performing “Medicate Me”. Get your tickets now, or they’ll be sold out!
