RECAP: ROLE MODEL BRINGS 'NO PLACE LIKE HOME' TOUR TO VANCOUVER

On April 5, Role Model (aka Tucker Pillsbury) brought his “No Place Like Tour” to the Commodore Ballroom and turned the room into a 90-minute group therapy session — the fun, flirty kind. The fans were screaming, and the lyrics screamed louder. This was Role Model’s 27th out of 31 stops on the tour, marking his first appearance in Vancouver since May 2022 at the same venue—and only his second time ever performing in the city.

Photos by Caroline Charruyer / Backspin Canada

Fresh off opening for Gracie Abrams on The Secret of Us Tour and still coasting on the success of his latest album Kansas Anymore, Role Model's star is rising fast. He even had a major pop culture moment at his Los Angeles show on April 2, where he brought out both Laufey and Reneé Rapp — an indie-pop dream trio, honestly. That kind of pull hints at the next tier of stardom he's climbing toward.

Debbii Dawson opened the night, earning her spot on the bill with buttery vocals and a great stage presence. Her sparkly outfit shimmered, but her voice, amid of Dolly Parton and Lana Del Rey outshone it. The crowd was locked in.

Shortly after 9pm, Pillsbury hit the stage like he owned it, immediately launching into “Writing’s On The Wall.” If anyone in the audience didn’t know every lyric going in, they sure faked it well. By the time he hit “Look At That Woman” and “Scumbag,” the entire floor was bouncing — shoulder to shoulder, top to bottom.

Role Model’s got this down to a science. He joked with the crowd, read signs, faked his own identity (shoutout to his bit where he claims to be everyone from Tate McRae to Imagine Dragons), and lets the crowd take the mic for the songs they’ve made their own. His self-aware humour lands because it’s mixed with real emotional weight. The heartbreak in “Frances,” the vulnerability in “Compromise,” the slow ache of “Oh, Gemini” — all delivered with sincerity but never taking himself too seriously.

He played his viral cover of The 1975’s “Somebody Else,” and yes, people lost their minds. And then came that moment where a fan gets chosen to go on stage— “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out.” It’s already a fan favourite, but live, it hits differently.

He closed with “Deeply Still In Love." Phones were up, lights swaying, and Pillsbury spun across the stage.

He might not be a global household name yet, but you can feel it coming. The fans believe it. And judging by the connection he built at the Commodore, Pillsbury might be deeply still in love — with this whole pop star thing.

Remaining 'No Place Like Home' Tour Dates

April 6 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

April 7 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

April 8 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

April 10 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

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