Kurt Vile and The Violators played at Théâtre Beanfield in Montreal for their Been Good to Me Tour

For more than two decades, Kurt Vile has carved out a space as one of indie rock's most distinctive songwriters. Blending folk-rock and slacker charm, the Philadelphia musician has built a devoted following with a sound that is both deeply introspective and effortlessly loose. Backed by longtime collaborators, The Violators, Vile has also earned quite the reputation as a live performer. His shows never sound rushed or over-rehearsed, but unfold naturally. Songs stretch and evolve beyond their studio versions, making even longtime fans hear them differently. This spirit fully defined Kurt Vile and the Violators' June 17th performance at Montréal's Théâtre Beanfield, on tour for the release of their new album Philadelphia's Been Good to Me. 

Vile opened the show with a few familiar favourites that I almost didn't recognize. “Check Baby” and “Hey Like a Child” weren't played straightforwardly but were sprawled and liquid. These new arrangements gave the songs a breath of life, in spite of making them a bit harder to sing along to. Vile’s sound moved through time and space fluidly, rippling across the room and into my ears; warm, inviting, and soul-filled. 

Kurt Vile is one of those guys my dad and I can bond over. He’s unpolished, but has this unassuming charm that is completely captivating. Standing on stage beneath that hair he looks like such an unlikely star, yet his presence swallows up the room entirely. About halfway through the show, The Violators took a break and Vile went solo. He had an incredible command of the room with just his voice and a finger-picked acoustic guitar. All he had to do was add a “yeah,” or a “well,” in there and the crowd would go crazy. Watching Vile live felt like what I imagine seeing a stripped-back Bob Dylan might have been like.

If you're the type of person who likes “all types of music” then this guy is for you; folk-rock with flares of alt-country and indie rock, with an edge that's raw and gritty like the streets of Philadelphia. He debuted some songs off Philadelphia's Been Good To Me which sounded great live. The heavy guitar on “Chance to Bleed” hit me in both my chest and my soul. Vile’s hazy guitar, conversational lyrics, and laid-back delivery were exemplified with “Rock o’ Stone,” perfectly capturing the show's warm and comforting atmosphere. 

Overall, the level of confidence heard on the new album translated live. Band and audience alike were present and happy, and Théâtre Beanfield was a wonderful environment to close my eyes and sway from side to side. This show felt personal and heartfelt, like Vile was holding my hand.