VISION VIDEO - Live at Richmond Music Hall
Words, Photos and Videos by Chris Magdalenski
A Black-Lipped Battle Cry Against Our New Normal: A Review of Vision Video’s Show at the Richmond Music Hall (August 29, 2025)
Ever since a friend introduced me to the music of goth, post-punk powerhouse Vision Video I’ve been waiting for the chance to see them live. For months now their music has become a mainstay in the soundtrack of my life. The band’s sound, a combination of the classic goth dark and melodic mixed with a healthy amount of pure punk aggression has given a stronger voice to my own personal frustrations around what’s going on in our world today.
Anyone who’s listened to Vision Video frequently knows where the band stands politically. Lead singer Dusty Gannon is not shy about using music to express his anger at the United States and its current administration, and all of that was on full riotous display for the evening’s festivities.
To put it bluntly; Vision Video puts on one hell of a show.
To put it even more bluntly; if you’re a fan of the guy currently sitting in the White House this wasn’t going to be the safest of spaces for you… (Which, while I’m here I might as well say, was totally fine with me).
All of the angsty power, and black tinged anger that drew me into Vision Video’s music was there in all its sonic glory. The band was tight, delivering each song with all the fealty to the studio track while imbuing it with that unspeakably raw edge that the best live acts wield like a dagger.
While it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite, the songs “Normalized”, “Let Go Of Time” and “Balaclava Kiss” were definite high points for me.
The all around vibe was amazing. The Richmond Music Hall is a fantastic small venue, and If you weren’t moving to the music, or joyously roaring in response to Dusty’s barbed lashes at the state of American politics you would’ve been one of the few. The crowd of less than 100 were into it all the way.
Which leads me to my final thoughts about the show… Towards the end of the evening Dusty offered his humble take on how to combat the dark political reality that’s overtaken our country. The first being getting out and using your voice to protest as much as possible. The second, was to build community, even if it’s just one person at a time.
Looking around the venue that night at the motley group of goths in attendance was a reminder that this is one of my communities. One that I absolutely love being a part of and hope to build deeper ties to in the coming months… Hopefully very soon at another Vision Video show.
Chris, Vince and Dusty Gannon
For more Vision Video, visit https://visionvideo.bandcamp.com/