An intimate evening with Matt Mays

The evening’s opening act, Skye Wallace, brought dynamic high energy music intertwined with serious messages. Her sound is unique and has been described as dark folk with influences from punk rock and 90’s grunge. A charged opening show that is not to be missed.

Headliner, Juno award winning Matt Mays, did not disappoint with an evening that began with soft audience generated howls at the night and ended in a high energy rock concert. Mays, a Canadian indie rock singer-songwriter, packed the Asper Theatre at Ottawa’s National Art Gallery and opened the night with an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of an acoustic open mic night.

The set covered a myriad of emotions and relationships. As Mays introduced the members of the eight piece band with each new song, the musical complexity and intensity grew and transformed from an evening of acoustics to electric rock. Songs, old and new, were preluded by memories of their inspiration building a connection and feeling of intimacy with the audience. True to “Ola Volo” lyrics, those present were transported to “another world where time is suspended”. Lighting effects reflected the growing energy and near the end of the show formalities were lost and the assigned seating forgotten as the audience engaged in dancing and singing, unable to contain themselves.

The Canadian, west to east, Howl at the Night tour continues through Ontario with four more stops before heading to the Maritimes. Check out locations and dates here: https://www.mattmays.com/tour/