Concert Reviews

Old Soul, a rock band together for nearly a decade, released their new album, Undercurrent, two weeks ago. I streamed it soon after it dropped. It was early morning on the bus to work, and I wasn’t expecting the tone change for this album after having listened intensely to their first album, Overgrown, three years ago. The audience was given context for this upcoming project: flowing water, the colour blue, and a siren lounging along a rock face.

The outside of Le Ministère was inconspicuous enough for a Monday. With a few smokers lingering outside and muffled music pouring onto the street, it seemed like any other evening on Saint-Laurent Street. Yet, past the chilly air and into the sweaty, hazy venue, indie pop duo Between Friends brought Montreal into the euphoric, 2000s-fuelled world of their new album, WOW!

I had never heard of the band Anamanaguchi going into this; in all honesty, I was here for the opener bands Fanclubwallet and Ovlov.

It’s hard to put into words what the TUKAN experience really is, but I’ll try. Let me set the scene. A year and a half ago, during Montreal’s Jazz Fest on July 5, 2024, my friend went to see Berlioz at MTELUS. After the show, she asked the band the classic question: “Where’s the afters?” In what felt like fate, they replied, “We’re going upstairs.” Upstairs was where TUKAN was performing.

No artist sounds quite like Spill Tab. The genre-blending songs merge alternative pop with jazz nuances. Claire Chica, the creative force behind these entrancing tracks, is a 28-year-old singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Born in Thailand, raised in Paris, and now based in LA, she crafts English and French songs layered with energetic rhythms, desire, nostalgia, and angst.

Frankie Cosmos gave Montreal's music lovers a memorable night. On September 16th, at the intimate venue Bar le Ritz, Frankie Cosmos performed with opening bands Moontype and Fantasy of a Broken Heart. I have never attended a concert where every band impressed me so much. With every artist, I felt as if I was discovering a new favourite, as they each showcased unique and impressive musical talents.

The sweet September air is ripe with the promise of magic, whimsy and enchantment, none of which will ever be as palpable as it was in the walk over to the Théatre Beanfield. As I headed there in my beat-up platform Jordan Doc Marten boots (a concert staple), my wired headphones beamed The Brian Jonestown Massacre straight into my ears in preparation for the show I was en route to see.