Prozzäk relives 1999 with an entertaining show at Algonquin Commons

I walked into the Algonquin Commons Theatre see the opener K.I.D, not really knowing what to expect. I hadn’t heard any of their music before, nor did I know their name.

The general admission area in the Algonquin Commons Theatre was already quite full. They obviously knew something I didn’t. By the end of the band’s first song, it was quite evident that their garage pop sound was going to mesh very well with the evening’s headliner, Prozzäk.

The crowd was obviously loving their performance. In between almost every song there were a few hoots and hollers before the band kicked into their next tune.

By the end, I was digging their performance as much as the rest of the crowd. Unfortunately, their set came to an abrupt end when the singer noted, “We just found out that was our last song,” and they walked off the stage. I sat there stunned thinking I just wanted to hear 1 or 2 more songs.

After a brief intermission, Prozzäk’s set started with a short, animated video with Simon and Milo. The band then came on stage to a loud roar from the crowd and wasted no time pumping up the energy with Strange Disease.

The show was mostly a high-energy affair. When they mellowed it out a little with New York, Jay (Simon) took the opportunity to move away from his riser and take a seat on the front of the stage. As it would have been back in ’99 a bunch of lighters were lit up. Security quickly ran through the seated area to ensure they were extinguished, though a few remained lit for the entire song in the general admission area.

Catey Shaw, who provided guest vocals on the band’s latest album, was the energizer bunny. Full of energy she ran between her riser and the front of the stage all show, while singing and taking polaroids of Jay and James performing, and handing them out to the crowd.

During their 90 minute or so set, the band treated the audience to all of their hits, and managed to mix in a few of the new songs including Forever 1999 and Love Me Tinder.

The performance came to an end with the catchy Sucks to Be You which had the audience singing along.

I was surprised by the number songs I recalled from back in the day as the band belted them out. The show was pure fun from start to finish. Make sure you check it out if Prozzäk takes to a stage near you on the rest of the tour.