At 7:20 pm on Monday night 200 or so people waited patiently for opener Gabrielle Shonk to take the stage at MacEwen hall. Ten minutes later their patient was rewarded as the young band took the stage. Playing their own brand of eclectic indie folk. Like a jazz band forgot about diminished chords and got a distortion pedal. Gabrielle shows off her bilingualism as she performs her original number ‘Trop Tard’ in french as the band comes close to the end of it’s half hour set. Lucky to grab this spot opening for childhood idols Dashboard Confessional, and supporting her 2016 debut EP, Gabrielle plugs their first single called habit, about “dudes with bad habits”. While they’re not exactly the genre I usually listen to, this song has definitely earned it’s place on my Spotify playlist. Powerful vocals pulling a cheer from the growing crowd, as avid music fans listened attentively to the soothing melodies of their closing number.
After a short break during which I made friends with a delicious Coors Banquet, The Elwins took the stage to an obviously excited crowd. Playing their own style of straight ahead millennial rock the band switched instruments and stage position throughout their set. The mix of catchy tunes in their repetoire is really quite impressive, and I’ll admit I listened to OMG at least three times while editing their photos.
Last here in the fall, they imparted some life advice to the few actual students in the room to drop out of school, quipping that a college degree won’t get you a job anymore. Wearing trendy vintage inspired threads, the band jumped around the stage, causing their heavily road worn amps to sway back and forth. I’ll never stop loving the charms of small venues. Matthew Sweeney, possessing a truly beautiful falseto, engages with the crowd on both sides of the stage as the band keeps the infectiously danceable grooves of Hey, Ya You rolling smoothly over the room.
The hard working toronto band closed with their single “Don’t walk away from me”.
By the time they were off the stage, the room was full from front to back. With a disproportionate number of attendees squeezed into the quarter of the large rooms floor that was licensed to serve the aforementioned $8 tall cans, this crowd was ready for what they came for.
The lights dropped and Jimmy Eat World was piped through the PA system, the very warmed up crowd singing along to the chorus of The Sweetness as I watched the band huddle up in the side stage area.
A chipper and relaxed dashboard took the stage. Chris Carrabba, full of energy, running back and forth across the stage, engaging with the crowd, who were overjoyed at the chance to relive their youths with him. Joking with fans, dancing around the stage. High energy stage performance in an intimate venue to a crowd that didn’t care what they were playing, as long as they were in the same room with the band. Shows like this are few and far between, and as such should be enjoyed whenever the chance arises. Highly recommend checking out this tour if it comes anywhere near where you are.
Photos and review by Dave Di Ubaldo, an Alberta based photographer. Too see more work or inquire about bookings please check out Worn Leather Media on the web
