Tom Morello kicks off his Canada tour in Vancouver with electrifying shows, powerful political messages, and a surprise guitar shred from his teenage son.
Tom Morello and Son Set Vancouver on Fire with Rage and Heart
What happens when a legendary guitarist shares the stage with his teenage son? If you’re Tom Morello, the answer is: absolute magic.
The Rage Against the Machine icon launched his Canadian tour with two fiery, sold-out nights at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on July 10 and 11. And while the riffs were loud and the message loud and clear, there was one unexpected twist—Morello’s son, Roman, joined him for a six-song mini-set, shredding like a pro.
A Legendary Kickoff—No Jet Lag, Just Pure Energy
You’d think that jetting in from directing Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show in the U.K. might slow a man down. Not Morello. From the first distorted wail of “Soldier in the Army of Love,” the stage lit up with revolutionary energy.
With his Freedom Fighter Orchestra backing him, the guitar hero tore through Rage classics, solo originals, and covers that got the entire venue roaring. And yes—mosh pits did form.
Roman Morello: Like Father, Like Fende
There’s nothing cooler than watching a rock legend pass the torch. Roman Morello didn’t just show up; he owned the stage. The teen guitarist played alongside his father with surprising confidence and skill, especially during the surprise encore of MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams.”
It was the first time Morello had performed that track live. He was joined again by Snotty Nose Rez Kids, the powerhouse opener blending Indigenous rap with live rock energy.
Rage Without Zack, But Still Full of Fire
With Zack de la Rocha absent, Morello smartly turned the mic over to the crowd. And they delivered—singing their hearts out during “Testify,” “Bulls on Parade,” and “Guerrilla Radio.”
He didn’t try to replace the iconic vocals. Instead, he leaned into what made those songs timeless: those wild, otherworldly guitar riffs. As fans shouted and stomped, Morello reminded everyone why his axe work is still the stuff of legend.
Tributes, Politics, and a Few Tech Glitches
Friday’s set wasn’t without hiccups—a short power outage and a quick tune-up pause delayed things briefly. But fans barely noticed once the music resumed.
Highlights included a stripped-down, Springsteen-style version of “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and a touching tribute to the late Chris Cornell during “Like a Stone,” marked by a spotlighted mic stand and emotional sing-along.
And yes, politics were front and center. “Pretend You Remember Me,” Morello’s latest single, was dedicated to families broken by U.S. immigration policies. Before launching into “Hold the Line,” he gave a proud shoutout to labor unions, just as any good leftist rocker would.
Rocking Across Canada—And Back Again
Morello’s Canadian stint continues through Edmonton on July 19. But he’s not done with the Great White North just yet. Come October, he’ll return for intimate “Stories and Music” shows across Ontario.
Want to catch him live? Head to tommorello.com/events for details.
Tom Morello may be revisiting Rage’s heyday, but he’s also building something new—with family, fire, and fierce riffs. Vancouver got the first taste, and the rest of Canada won’t want to miss what’s coming next.
