Concert Reviews

Back at it here again with another concert review! Monday, March 20 welcomed Alestorm at the Corona Theater, and man was I excited to get my pirate mood on. Upon arriving, I checked at the back of the venue hoping to meet the band but, sadly, none of the members were there. 

Once I managed to get inside, I ran for the front as fast as possible and secured my spot and land ho!

On March 15th, KANPE held it’s 5th annual Karnaval, with the one and only Arcade Fire headlining the event. Co-founded by Regine Chassagne, principal member of Arcade Fire, KANPE is an organization that works in Haïti to help those who are facing extreme financial poverty. Meaning “Stand Up,” KANPE helps vulnerable families to reach financial autonomy.

Along came excitement when I was invited to a special show at the Mayfair to see Ritual Master, an up-and-coming doom metal band from the West Island who take influence from a lot of bands such as Black Sabbath, Venom, Electric Wizard, and Bathory.

Arriving to the venue my friend, we walked in as the band was on stage setting up their gear. We had a little chat with Gabe (bass, vocals), Ethan (keys/vocals), David (drums), and Rob (guitars), and we caught up since the last time we all saw each other previously. Rob is the newest member of Ritual Master since Alex, their old guitarist, quit the band due to pursue other things in his life.

This Monday, two CJLO contributors, Genaro Peña Cruz and Paul Brown, had the chance to see Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears as they performed at La Sala Rossa, as part of the Montréal en Lumière festival going on until March 11. Here’s the story of one single show, told by two different music lovers.

Genaro Peña Cruz’s story

I'm not one to normally go to concerts, but this time, I decided to make the move—especially seeing that it was T.I., and and it would've been his first time coming to Montreal! Needless to say, I had some high expectations for the concert.

Excited and enthusiastic, I got to L'Olympia early to get a good spot to see the big man himself. 

However, the crowd didn't seem too enthusiastic in the beginning. The first set of artists who came out really didn't get the crowd hyped enough for the main show. Some went so far as to attempt crowd surfing, which didn't go well and ultimately didn't work. I think everyone was just waiting for the main event.

I have been looking forward to seeing Black Marble, the dreamy coldwave synth pop duo from Brooklyn, for quite some time. I knew I needed to see them, in part because their music has been occupying my brain since their latest album It’s Immaterial was released, but also because I was curious what the physical manifestation of their music could possibly be like. There is something about their music that carries with it an air of mystery.

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.