iDKHBTFM Energize Rochester on the "GLOOMTOWN" Tour

Writing and photo by Faith Logue

Graphic by Rebekah Witt

I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME is the brainchild of Dallon Weekes, who you might know from bands like Panic! At The Disco and The Brobecks. Now a solo act since the drummer was kicked out for stealing money, Weekes and his talented touring musicians lit the Montage Music Hall in Rochester, NY up for an unforgettable evening of magic and mystery.

The venue is only 400 capacity, making for an intimate night. Having seen the band there before, I was excited to get the opportunity again. Benches, an indie rock band from Southern California, was the only opener for the night. Having never heard them before, I was entranced by their infectious guitar licks, high-energy percussion, and simple yet intricate vocals that had me dancing. For 30 minutes the band held my attention as each song preceded the next, and as soon as I knew it, it was time for iDKHOW.

This was my fifth time seeing the band and the third time with them as headliners. When they announced their “GLOOMTOWN” Tour, I knew I had to go, even though Rochester is a three-hour drive away. The stage was set differently than tours before it, as Dallon Weekes’ microphone was in the center instead of at the side, and multicolored flowers decorated the stage. Promptly at 8:30 p.m., Weekes and his touring band graced the stage to much applause. They rolled into the night’s first song with the upbeat “SPKOTHDVL” from their new album GLOOM DIVISION, which came out in February. The crowd was energetic and inviting, and I had the most room to dance and jump than I had ever before in the pit.

The band immediately began “Do It All The Time,” a groovy hit from their debut album RAZZMATAZZ. The audience was loud, with Weekes appreciating the energy. Audience participation is a big part of the culture at iDKHOW shows, featured during the next track “Social Climb,” as everyone was heard singing ‘Woh, oh oh oh’ during the chorus. 

He decided to ditch his bass for the majority of the show, tracing the outline of the stage as he moved from side to side during “DOWNSIDE” and “GLOOMTOWN BRATS” from the new record. They moved into the old track “New Invention,” which was a change of pace because it featured more rock elements than the previous tracks, making the crowd jump and sway.

Weekes showcased his massive vocal range during “INFATUATION,” which he said was his favorite off the new album, and “SIXFT,” a vengeful song about not wanting to be pushed around or else the person pushing them will end up ‘six feet underground.’ The element of audience participation was brought back during “A LETTER,” an old Brobecks song that made it on the album, with the audience singing the ‘Oohs’ and ‘Ahs’ present during the chorus.

The rest of the night featured invigorating tracks like “Visitation of the Ghost,” where Weekes walks into the crowd, a cover of “Murder on the Dancefloor” with some technical issues, “Kiss Goodnight,” and my favorite off the record, “SUNNYSIDE.”

I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME did not disappoint yet again, with this show being my favorite from them. With a long set full of new and old tracks and an energetic and peaceful crowd, iDKHOW captivated Western New York yet again, and I can’t wait until they come back!