Twin Shadow + Diamond Rings @ Theatre Corona

Theatre Corona is the finest venue I’ve been to in Montreal thus far. I admire the classical old theatre look and feel that it has, not to mention the live sound. Even though the tickets may be costly, it is well worth the dough.

My night started off with the pop and electronic artist Diamond Rings (John O' Regan) from Toronto, which was interesting, to say the least. I was a bit confused at the beginning of the set because it appeared like some David Bowie look-alike had just jumped on stage to sing karaoke and do some Napoleon Dynamite dance moves. I'm not sure anyone knew exactly who he was, but he got the crowed to dance like it was 1999. Everything would have worked out better for him if he was backed by a real drummer and guitarist (and maybe some back-up dancers). The poor dude was all alone jumping from one side of the stage to another; it looked like he was going to have an anxiety attack. The live performance needs work, but you can tell there’s something there. I wouldn’t see him again tomorrow, but perhaps in a couple of years after he gets some more practice.

Next on stage was the George Lewis Jr.’s own Twin Shadow. Unlike his new-wave alternative album Forget (2010) the live show was straight up rock n’ roll! Lewis took the cake rocking his guitar. The drums were insane and the bass was great, too. Not to mention, he was definitely dressed the part of a real rocker with a deep v neck and some bling drooping down onto his chest. I expected the set to be as melancholic as the album and I thought I'd walk home feeling sad; instead, I left the venue ready for a shindig and completely blown away. I enjoy the fact that Twin Shadow gives me the finest of both worlds: I can go for a drive on a Sunday afternoon listening to Forget, or I can go to their show and really get down.

Lewis was full of praise for the crowd. “I promise I haven’t said this before on this tour,” he said. He also added something along the lines of, “You guys are my best audience. Canadians are so beautiful, while in America they’re only getting uglier. No joke, we want to marry ourselves into some Canadian blood.” This led the audience to relish the rest of the show even more, which I didn’t even think was possible. If there were one crew I’d want to hang out with it would be the people that attended the show; they were full of fun.

Twin Shadow’s new album is expected within the first six months of 2012. In he meantime, do yourself a favour and check out their website for live videos, tour info, and more.

-Eileen English