I went to see some shows the past few weeks, here are my highly subjective thoughts & experiences from some of them:

Public Animal, Yardlets, Mountain Dust, Dead Ranch – Turbo Haus, May 14

This show didn’t seem that interesting until I heard this:  

It then became an absolute must. ‘The power of the riff compels me’ as they say. Dead Ranch was cool but Ian Blurton’s Public Animal stole the show. They were the perfect good time Saturday night rock’n’roll band.

Public Animal. Photo: Sandi M

It’s too bad the four-band bill only started at 10:30. The place was dead & deserted for Yardlets, who ended at 2:30am. Shows should pretty much always end with enough time for people to catch the last metro.

Chelsea Wolfe – Theatre Fairmont, May 16

Chelsea Wolfe. Photo: Sandi M

Abyss is a pretty great album;  that Chelsea Wolfe came through Montreal a 2nd time since it’s release is lucky for anyone who hadn’t heard it in time for her show back in September (ie: me).

As hoped & expected, most of Abyss was played. And the crowd was super hot for it, pretty-much every song was cheered as soon as it started. The crowd’s energy was surprising given the chill gloominess of the music, but it served as a testament to how powerful the music actually is. The room was filled with a sense of personal connection and intimacy to what was being played, and so it came with the overwhelming appreciation to match.

For more in-depth coverage, check out Donovan’s reviews of the show and of Abyss. Continue reading →