Concert Reviews

At 8:20 pm, I’m standing in a near-empty Sala Rossa as red and white disco-projected lights are spinning across the floor -- I think they’re making the room look smaller. They’re playing Feeble Little Horse’s Girl With Fish front-to-back; in my mind, it’s a projection of how the entire night will feel. Warm, fuzzy, and a little messy -- all of the charms that draw anyone to college radio. I am one of 6 awkward stand-arounders I’ve seen so far tonight, all CJLO DJ’s and frequent Sala patrons. It’s like the first time seeing your cousins after a year, with a weird awkward silence that’ll be quickly rectified by beer and wonderfully curated music. 

When you are listening to a sound, as soon as it hits your ears, it's already gone. It totally resists a holding action, there is no way to pause and stare. However, Australian composer, singer and producer Hana Stretton seems to possess the ability to stretch and pull sound beyond these limitations. Based out of rural Australia, she favours creating in isolation. Surrounded by nature, animals and instruments, she draws inspiration from her landscape and a deep appreciation for the life around her. She creates a sort of auditory collage, combining elements of folk, ambient and dream pop over field recordings and layered vocals. The power of her music not only rests in the happening but within the absence as well.

Adéla is a solo Slovakian artist that emerged from the "Dream Academy" reality TV series. Although she is classified as a pop-artist, her signature hot pink hair, stage presence, and intense ballet background add a lot of depth to her captivating artistry, which is where her tag “swaggerina” most likely originates from. 

The intimacy of her Montreal show brought so much opportunity to appreciate not just her vocals and charisma, but her and her dancers' amazingly high technical abilities, carrying the versatility to dance in heels, flats, and even pointe shoes. 

On September 8th, Slayr performed at the Theatre Beanfield for the Montreal stop of his Half-Blood tour. The show was completely sold out, with eager fans crowding the floor early to secure their spots, and the room was packed wall to wall with anticipation. The stage design centered on a gigantic orange eyeball, a striking centerpiece stemming from Slayr's personal mythology and imagery. The opener, DJ Kandor, set an energetic tone for Slayr, playing underground hip-hop from Ken Carson to Prettifun to hype up the crowd. 

One day after the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Kim Gordon is onstage at the Beanfield, cool as ever, patiently waiting for the crowd to stop roaring their love for her so she can move to the next song in her set. 

Known from her work with Sonic Youth, and more recently from touring three albums worth of solo work since 2019, Kim is now 71 years old. She’s been touring since her 20s. Her look tonight is unmistakably Kim Gordon - sharp blonde bob, heavy eyeliner, a black minidress that flashes in the spotlights. When she bends to riff on her electric guitar, the crowd goes nuts. Everyone is thinking the same thing: “I can’t believe I’m watching Kim Gordon play live in 2026.”