Every generation of “twenty-somethings” MUST have their anthems. They simply MUST, I insist!
A chorus they can all can all sing OUT LOUD together in a dark room filled with enough guitar to scare their moms. (Sorry moms, you just don’t understand, you never will)
They need an anthem that speaks to their newly found adulthood. An anthem they can call their own. PVRIS not only writes such songs, but performs them with such passion and energy that the current generation of twenty-somethings has embraced them in a BIG WAY.
PVRIS (pronounced Paris) notably made a name for themselves playing on the Ernie Ball’s Battle of the Bands stage on a leg of the “Warped Tour” and by doing things the old way. Hitting the road hard.
That “Warped Tour” energy was in the room Monday night at the crowded Corona Theatre. The perfect mix of adolescent angst and curiosity. The lights fell and the room filled with cheering screams and cell phone screens. PVRIS exploded onto the stage dressed all in black. A thunder storm of guitar filled the room as the crowd went ballistic.
Now in case you don’t remember, being twenty-something is pretty much like being on drugs ALL THE TIME. Lots of emotions and bad-decision-making. So when the opportunity comes to dance and sing to your anthems … you go ALL OUT! This is why we need these anthems in the first place. This is why we need bands like PVRIS.
Hands were in the air and the energy was high. A different, yet familiar music filled my ears. A combination of Mall-Punk and Electro-Funk mixed with a little classical, you know, to keep it classy. An almost surrealist blend taking the best from each genre.
The stage was simply yet slick, Two stylized iron gates framed the back of the stage with a ever present circle in the sky behind the band. The imagery was playful and odd.
Watching the crowd go crazy song after song was the best part of the concert. A truly devoted fan base was eating it up. Everyone knew all the words and everyone sang along.
The highlight of the show was a stripped down performance of two of their hits. After asking the audience if they could try to ditch their cell-phones for a bit, the band was dismissed leaving only singer Lynn Gunn and guitarist Alex Babinski. Lyndsey’s stark voice took over the hall. Thick and full of passion. The voice of her generation. The simple ringing chords of one guitar echoed in the background as the entire crowd sang along.
Gunn took great pride in mentioning “we have opened here for a few bands, but this is our first time being the main attraction”. PVRIS has paid their dues and received the praise they deserved from a very grateful Montreal audience.
Review – Myles Beeby
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