Seems like The Weeknd’s team knew what they were doing when they signed Toronto-based duo 88GLAM to XO records. Derek Wise and 88 Camino were on fire on Saturday night, backed by a talented group of local Ottawa artists.

The first act to take the stage was Ottawa local DJ Chefnier who, in the past, has opened for artists such as Fetty Wap and Vanic. Referring to himself as one of the early founders of FMG Collective, Chefnier worked the gathering crowd up with some Drake and KILLY to name a few. We had been told that he is one to watch by a few other local DJs and were not disappointed.

Chefnier performs at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

Promoters were anxiously awaiting the arrival of one of the members of the next group minutes before the show was set to start, but Ottawans DBAA (Don’t Bet Against Association) sauntered in just in time and delivered an incredible performance that threatened to outshine the acts that were to follow. Although a solid collective, the masterful stage presence of Ancy Pharel, aka g_kode613, was hard to look away from, especially with a camera in hand. It’s always a pleasure to shoot someone who understands the importance of giving it your all on stage.

DBAA performs at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

Next up was RunAway Randy Freeman, another local performer who has been making quite a mark on the growing local hip hop scene over the last few years. On stage he had an impressive flow, but he also repeatedly jumped off stage to rap to the fans in the front rows up close and in person, much to their delight and to the bouncers’ dismay.

RunAway Randy Freeman performs at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

Finally, the artists everyone was waiting for. Cue the red lights and the screaming girls. Playing through many of their hit tracks from both 88GLAM Reloaded and 88Glam2 such Kyrie, Big Tymers, and It’s a Flex (which features NAV on the album version), they hit all the high notes with their loyal fan base. Towards the middle of their set, they pointed to someone on the floor and said “You! Start a mosh pit!”. The crowd listened, parted, and did as they were told. As the show was drawing to a close, they asked the crowd which song they would like to request, knowing that the answer back would be Bali, their Platinum Single. Typically this song is performed amidst flying water from both the artists and the crowd and Saturday night was no exception. Thankfully my camera and I were long gone by then. Water and electronics don’t mix.

88Glam performs at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

88Glam continues their tour tonight in Montreal at Le National before heading to the Marquee Ballroom in Halifax. If you can’t catch either of these shows, and you really want to go all out (and get out of the cold), they will be performing in California during the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in April.

MORE PHOTOS