In the Toronto fan-favorite venue, HISTORY, was a roar so loud it could be heard from blocks away from the venue. The sensual smog settled on the crowd as the Driver Era, the touring band made up of the rest of the Lynch family, made their way on stage via stage right. Last on board was Rocky & Ross Lynch the duo that creates the soundtrack that represents the Driver Era. Crowd interaction comes naturally to Ross, stating quickly after the first song, “Man, we have a good-looking crowd tonight.”
Remember how I mentioned I hadn’t heard a louder crowd at HISTORY? It only got louder as Ross Lynch teasingly removed his shirt. This show was clearly special to the fans and the band; The Driver Era are loud fans of Toronto, or as Ross affectionately named, “T-Dot,” the inside name locals know the city as. But the band brought a final push of adrenaline and energy as this was the last show of the North American tour supporting their recent album, Summer Mixtape.
As many concertgoers know, the last night of a tour tends to consist of special surprises and even pranks onstage, the touring crew for the driver era surprised the opener, VALÉ (this was her first tour) donned in all black and sunglasses the band hopped onstage with her. The pranks didn’t end there, VALÉ and her crew got the headliners back by crashing their set wearing Colombian headpieces. As Toronto tends to be a final tour date for touring bands
As most former Disney kids attempt to squeeze the mouse company out of their image, Ross Lynch did more than appease the crowd but seemed to relish in the solo acoustic version of “On My Own” from his nostalgic Disney show, Austin & Ally.
Ross Lynch asked the crowd for a song request and returned to the fan he knew was their birthday – Welcome To The End of My Life, a fitting choice for the final tour date. Toronto got a uniquely exceptional performance from the band with a set list full of remixed songs between theirs and other pop songs. We got “Low/Pony by Genuwine,” “Malibu/Wild Thoughts by Rihanna” and fittingly, “Heart of Mine/Hold On, We’re Going Home by Drake.” Even had a cover of Estelle’s, “American Boy,” make an appearance during the encore.
Ending the show with the disco-adjacent track, “A Kiss,” the band took their final bows in North America. With pounding drums and strobe lights the crowd didn’t go out with the lights. Applause lasting well after the encore ended, the audience shuffled out of the venue with glazed eyes and a buzz only settling after the adrenaline rush that came from The Driver Era show.
