Since the subgenre’s birth in the late eighties, the precise meaning of the word shoegaze has become as warped and distorted as the sounds it so ubiquitously describes. Over time, as influences have broadened, the term has inevitably blurred. However, DIIV’s formidable performance tonight serves as an exemplary reminder of the characteristics that define the genre.

That’s not to say the band is pining for the Good Old Days—far from it, in fact. DIIV’s set is interspersed with tongue-in-cheek videos critical of hyper-consumerism and the empty promises of capitalism. At points, these videos appear to feature deepfakes of the band members themselves, posing as CEOs or salespeople offering the promise of a better life—if only you’d buy their product. More self-aware than most artists, DIIV acknowledges their position as individuals fortunate enough to make a living through music, while simultaneously critiquing their own role in consumerism.

In a live setting, DIIV eschews the showmanship of a frontman or lead guitarist typically associated with guitar bands. Instead, the emphasis shifts to the collective sound created by all four members, playing in such harmony that they seem like a singular entity, giving life to music greater than the sum of its parts. This aligns with their philosophy of anti-consumerism and anti-individualism, raising the question of what more we could achieve by working together and prioritizing common interests.

Musically, DIIV’s performance tonight is one that will not soon be forgotten—their sound is as unrelenting as it is textured and nuanced. Yet it is the message they leave with their audience that will truly linger after the show is over. More authentically punk than most self-proclaimed punk bands, DIIV delivers a playfulness and originality that spares any risk of eye-rolling.

Article : Elliot Hetherton