Concert Reviews

Beirut at MTELUS, Feb 15 2019

Beirut is an American band that mixes multiple styles such as indie rock, pop and American folk. Whatever this band experiments with musically, the highlight is always the multi-instrumentalist talents of frontman Zach Condon and the abundant horns in their records. The band was touring in support of their fifth album Gallipoli, named after the town in Italy where they spent some time recording. The twelve songs in this album are smooth, instrumentally rich and take you back to warm summer days.


Arkells at MTELUS, Feb 21 2019

Since their single “Knocking At The Door” blew up in 2017, the Arkells have been making waves in Canada and abroad. The track and video had them nominated for best single and best video of the year at the 2018 Juno Awards and Nielsen Music announced Arkells were the second most popular Canadian rock band on Canadian radio that year, behind the Tragically Hip, of course.


Buffy Saint-Marie @ Corona Theatre, Feb 16 2019

It’s very seldom that you see a performer arrive to more admiration and praise than 77 year-old singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie received last week at Corona Theatre. While the show was not quite sold out, the energy in the room could have filled a football field. This concert showed that even though Buffy has been touring for half a century, she can still be trusted to put on a great show. 


Haley Hates the Cold, Andy’s Favourite Colour is Red

Photo: Arielle de Pagter

On February 7, Andy Shauf brought his month long North American tour to Montreal’s Rialto Theatre. That Thursday night saw a brief respite from the bitter winter, with temperatures creeping above zero for what felt like the first time in ages.


Mick Jenkins at L'Astral, Jan 28 2019

Mick Jenkins stopped in Montreal to promote his newest album, Pieces of a Man. The album is a homage to legendary poet and artist, Gil Scott-Heron, borrowing the title of Scot-Heron's debut album.


Dan Mangan at Fairmount Theatre, Jan 28 2019

Outside the venue, a large tour bus with a trailer is parked on the street. It’s unusual to see one outside of Fairmount Theatre. Dan Mangan doesn’t strike one as a tour bus artist. The indie rock outfit doesn’t seem like it would need much. I guess after a decade and a half in the business, one might splurge for extra comforts.


Torquil Campbell's True Crime Fascination

It has been said that the best lies contain an element of truth to them.


Kacey Musgraves at MTELUS, Jan 12, 2019

Photo: Kelly Christin Sutton

“You guys are ready to fucking yee-haw!”

It wasn’t a lie when Kacey Musgraves made that exclamation near the beginning of her show at MTELUS over the weekend.  Despite bitter-cold temperatures (a situation Musgraves also colourfully expressed concern and sympathy over), it couldn’t keep down the palpable excitement of an audience hungry to hear their country queen.


Still Woozy At Le Ministére, Jan 20 2019

 

Still Woozy fans braved the biggest snow storm of the year to see their show at le Ministère, and they got their money’s worth. Despite the one-hour delay, the young energetic crowd really enjoyed both Victor! and Still Woozy’s  performances.


A$AP Rocky At Place Bell, Jan 13 2019

Photo: Kaya Martin

A$AP Rocky’s “Injured Generation” tour took to Place Bell on Sunday night to treat fans to a stadium show based on his 2018 album TESTING.  

A$AP Rocky is the most popular member of Harlem rap collective A$AP Mob that began to gain popularity in 2011 after the release of his debut single “Peso” and his Live. Love. A$AP. mixtape. The rapper has since gone on to become a fashion icon in the music industry, and has also been featured in several movies.


Ensiferum at Théâtre Corona, Jan 9 2019

Truth be told, I hadn’t delved into Ensiferum’s music before summer 2017 when I caught them at Montebello Rockfest. I was, however, turned into an instant fan when their pulsating anthems roared into my unsuspecting ears. Really, what I learned that day was the strength of Ensiferum’s music, and their most recent visit to Montreal’s Corona Theatre (all the way from Finland no less) further confirmed it. You don’t need to be an Ensiferum fan to enjoy their show. The melodic nature of their songwriting is enough to sing along to just about any of their songs, while being fast and aggressive at the same time.


The Internet at MTELUS, Dec 8 2018

The Hive Mind Tour by The Internet and Moonchild came through Montreal at MTELUS on Dec 8 2018 with a concert incomparable to any I have ever seen.


Jorja Smith at MTELUS, Dec 18 2018

Photo: Louis Pavlakos

Performing at her sold out show on Tuesday December 19th at MTELUS, the lovely Jorja Smith blessed us with her amazing vocal range and an unforgettable tone.


Playboi Carti at MTELUS, Dec. 1 2018

Playboi Carti made a stop in Montreal on Saturday night as part of his Neon Tour, and an eager crowd awaited the artist’s much-delayed performance at MTELUS.

Atlanta native and long-time A$AP Mob affiliate Playboi Carti is on the last stretch of his tour,  continuing to promote his debut studio album Die Lit that dropped in May 2018.  The album came after the success of Carti’s eponymous debut mixtape, featuring his breakout single “Magnolia” that put eyes on the 22-year-old trap rapper. 


Sloan at Cafe Campus, Nov 27 2018

For those looking to relive the 90s, there’s no better news than a 30th anniversary performance possibly in the works of the debut album by Halifax power-pop quartet Sloan. “Four nights at the Foufounes!” bassist Chris Murphy told the crowd, before adding that he hopes to assemble the other acts that played their first Montreal show.

Murphy was joking, of course, because Sloan is nowhere close to being a nostalgia act.


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