Concert Reviews

Neal Morse @ Club Soda, January 31st 2017

February 2 2017 // Phil Aveline // Magazine // Concert Reviews

January 31st, 2017 was already going to be an eventful day before it was announced that, prior to the Neal Morse show that night, Mike Portnoy would be doing a meet and greet at Steve's Music Store on St. Antoine. I have been following Dream Theater since I discovered the Six Degrees of Inner Turbulene album and got hooked by the song “The Glass Prison”, which blew my mind completely. I finally got the meet Mike Portney, the man behind the giant kit.

High Five @ Vice & Versa, January 22nd 2017

January 24 2017 // Michael Brown // Magazine // Concert Reviews

I’m loving these Sunday evening 5 à 7 performances at Vice & Versa, a cute brick and wood-trim resto-brewery in Little Italy serving innumerable craft beers on keg and gourmet burgers, slaw, and the like. I enjoyed a wonderful pulled-pork poutine and a few exquisite white beers, surrounded by familiar smiling faces and good tunes.

Tall Shadows & Monogamy, Le Cactus, January 18th 2017

January 21 2017 // Michael Brown // Magazine // Concert Reviews

As I understand, last night’s performance was meant to be held at l’Escogriffe, but since it is currently under renovation, the event was moved to Le Cactus, a small showroom next door . Great little spot. Supposedly doubling as a dance studio, the venue’s side wall is lined entirely with full-sized mirrors, perfectly suitable for the disco ball and lasers bouncing all over the room. Unfortunately, not nearly enough people made it to last night’s performance, but this does not at all take from the music. The bands were great.

Cindy Lee & Deerhunter, Le National, January 15th 2017

January 17 2017 // Michael Brown // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Photo: Allison O'Reilly 

I was ecstatic to hear that Cindy Lee and Deerhunter, two of my favourite recording artists, would be playing at Le National on a cold Sunday night. The beautiful old theater slowly filled with people eager to bliss out to droning treble.

Dangereens + Barry Paquin Roberge @ Le Cactus

January 16 2017 // Prince Palu // Magazine // Concert Reviews

January 12, 2017

Asap Ferg, Metropolis, November 30th

December 9 2016 // Akeem J. Pierre // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Photo Credit: Jason Bergman 

If there is one word to describe the Asap Ferg Turnt & Burnt experience, it would have to be: energetic. 

On Wednesday November 30th, American rapper Asap Ferg heated up the city by bringing the Turnt & Burnt tour to Metropolis, with Young Mob associates, Playboi Carti and Rob $tone in attendance as well. 

Saxsyndrum, Balattou, December 7th

December 8 2016 // Michael Brown // Magazine // Concert Reviews

When entering the Balattou, one encounters a perplexing scene. Strangely angled mirrors outline the back of the stage, distracting one’s eyes towards a reflective fractal of musicians playing and a crowd seated in wonderfully curved little booths. The stage is framed by monolithic speakers, far exceeding the necessary decibel level for the room. Above remain mountings for what I’m fairly positive used to be erotic dance poles. The young crowd does not fit the place, drinking pina coladas and Molson Ex, layered in wool and leather, and topping toques.

Chairs, Vices & Versa, November 28

November 29 2016 // Michael Brown // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Vice & Versa was the perfect setting for last night’s 5 à 7 performance. One can chat, sip any of their 32 beers on draft, and munch on deliciously pretty burgers or appetizers with friends. But this is not a review of Vice & Versa, but rather the band who played the quaint venue, Chairs.

Tegan & Sara Trade in Their Guitars for Synthesizers

November 16 2016 // Fallon DiBlasio // Magazine // Concert Reviews

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I was waiting in line for the Tegan and Sara show at Metropolis. I was familiar with their album Sainthood and actually saw them open for Paramore on their Honda Civic Tour in 2009. Since then, their sound and style have done a complete 180. When I saw that they were coming to Montreal, I bought a ticket without even thinking. I haven’t listened to any of their new stuff besides their hit song “Closer” from their last album Heartthrob. Now, touring and playing material from their eighth record Love You To Death I knew nothing and no one going.

Sloan: Still flashing that electric smile

October 14 2016 // J.B. Stella // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Presented by I Love Neon

Devin Townsend Project + Between the Buried and Me + Fallujah @ Corona Theatre

September 28 2016 // Philliam // Magazine // Concert Reviews

September 18th, 2016. It's the weekend, and you know what that means. Lots of shows! Attending the Double Experience show at the Pioneer in the West Island on Saturday night set the standard high for the next day, which was the Devin Townsend Project and Between the Buried and Me at the Corona Theatre.

#CJLOgoesPOP Top 5 Moments!

September 27 2016 // Sue Snyder // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Another edition of POP Montreal has come to a close, and it was a good 'un, folks. As the CJLO team grapples with things like "sleep debt" and "real life", we thought we'd take a moment to reflect on some of our favourite moments of the festival.

The Power of Alison Mosshart at The Kills

Brotherly Love at The Sadies + Li'l Andy + Will McClelland Show

September 26 2016 // Sue Snyder // Magazine // Concert Reviews

POP Montreal 2016

It was a brother takeover at Theatre Fairmount on Saturday night with The Sadies, fronted by Dallas and Travis Good, headlining a night to celebrate the release of Will McClelland's The Minted. 

Leif Vollebekk @ Rialto Rooftop - POP Montreal 2016

September 24 2016 // Sue Snyder // Magazine // Concert Reviews

There are scores of shows at POP Montreal, more rare are the MOMENTS,  when everything is beautiful, everyone is engaged, your throat tightens and you smile to yourself because you know that this is truly special. Leif Vollebekk's Friday night rooftop set was such a moment. Panoramic views over Montreal, gothic rooftops and the Mt Royal cross pushing up into the cloud line, the sun setting golden orange in the Montreal north. On a Persian rug island ringed with electric candelabra, Vollebekk sets up, invites the tiny crowd to pull near. What follows is a deeply intimate hour of music, Vollebekk alternately behind the keyboard and guitar, traffic from Parc Avenue offering the occasional punctuation. 

Helena Deland @ The Rialto - POP Montreal 2016

September 23 2016 // Stephanie Dee // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Presented by POP Montreal

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