Deerhoof @ La Tulipe (Pop Montreal)

Deerhoof has finally arrived! With a huge fan base in Montreal, Deerhoof has been taking their sweet time to play a show here, but Pop Montreal finally twisted their arm enough this year to get them to come out and play La Tulipe on October 1st. Their abstract pop has been seeping into the ears of Montrealers since their 1997 release, The Man, The King, The Girl. Their prolific EP career and generous free electronic tracks makes them a constant fan favourite. Plus the fact that they are so damn cute.

Opening for Deerhoof Friday night were their buddies Danielson, a poppy gospel rock from the Southern states. Unfortunately, having only caught the last bit of their set, I didn’t get a good sense of their style, but they seemed pleasing to the ears in the least. For anyone who digs The Pixies and/ or Frank Black, or Band of Horses, for instance, they might want to check these guys out.

After Danielson finished their set, the anticipation in the room was palpable. Deerhoof was every bit a professional band, only making the audience wait about fifteen or twenty minutes before they stormed onto stage with their relatively new lineup - John Dieterich, Satomi Matsuzaki, Ed Rodriguez, and Greg Saunier. This was possibly the tightest show I have ever seen. And the most adorable.

Deerhoof’s noise and prog-influenced songs had most of the audience either dancing their buns off or standing awkwardly. They played all the hits, and some new songs to boot. The superfans at the front of the audience were nuts, and there were a surprising number of over-fifty hipsters digging their show. Greg Saunier, on drums, was beyond hot. With just a snare, cowbell, kick, and cymbal, it was easy to look away and believe he was playing a full kit. You didn’t want to look away, though. His playing was
mastery, and was the highlight of the show for me until vocalist Matsuzaki broke out her adorable dance moves towards the end of the show.

Deerhoof graciously gave the hungry audience two encores. They were the ultimate professionals, athletic, and full of endurance. Saunier’s frequent interjections in broken French were the icing on the cake. This was one of the best shows of the season for me.