House Of Vans Presents: The Rapture

Words by Hillary Hedstrom | Photos by Bobby Talamine

The latest House of Vans show was curated by mid-00’s electronica indie-rock band The Rapture. They featured performances by the bands Seedy Films and Tandem Jump with art by Rich Jacobs. 

While guests were being checked in, those inside leisurely strolled around, the 21+ guests holding a cup of free Goose Island beer. They made their way over to the free shirt line, getting a green-orange ombre shirt that announced “The Rapture at the House of Vans.” 

Some guests stayed inside, dancing to the tunes the DJ was playing. Others chose to go outside to get some fresh air, more beer, or to order from the food trucks parked. But, once the first act started, people started to filter inside.

Tandem Jump started out the night. Their music was very quirky, with comedic hints. One of their songs was an apology letter from the lead singer to her mother, apologizing for cheating on her with a different mom. 

More people chose to stay inside after that set, dancing to the music playing. 

Seedy Films followed Tandem Jump. The three women in the band alternated singing lead on their songs. The overarching genre was rock music, with notes of reggae mixed in.

After Seedy Film’s final song, everyone went back to dancing to the pre-show music coming from the loudspeakers. 

When the music stopped and the lights went off, everyone moving, anxious. After what felt like an eternity, The Rapture entered the stage, ready to play.

Everyone from new fans to fans who went to their shows before their hiatus went crazy. Cheering and screaming.

Their music was loud and electronic and fun. The House of Vans was almost transformed into a dance club

From the first notes to the very end of their set, it was a non-stop dance party. Everyone was moving and dancing with each other. 

One of the singers from Seedy Films and the singer from Tandem Jump sang backup, having fun the entire time.

They left the stage and the stage lights went out. Everyone was chanting for them to come back on stage. 

They did come back on stage to play “How Deep Is Your Love.” After one last dance, they left the stage for good, leading the audience to filter out, grabbing posters off the walls as they left.