The crowd erupted into the anticipated roar of delight as the proverbial curtain lifted at Place Bell in Laval on Wednesday evening. Overpowering Odesza‘s signature use of a meditative voice, impactful words, and gentle melodies, the captivating sounds of ‘This Version of You’ filled the arena, marking the show’s beginning.
Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight took their respective positions on stage, intensifying the excitement with the electrifying tune, ‘Behind the Sun.’ The cheers erupted again, reaching their peak when an unexpected surprise unfolded—the sudden appearance of eight snare drummers on stage.
This was just the first of many appearances by the octet throughout the performance. They replaced the synthesizers and acoustic mixers with real instruments, producing a crisp, vibrant sound as wood met plastic. Their awe-inspiring performance was a delight to the ears and a visual spectacle. Their coordinated body movements, drumming prowess, and deft stick maneuvers flawlessly synchronized with the movements of Mills and Knight, adding an extra layer of thrill to the overall experience.
As they marched offstage following their initial appearance, none of them flinched as they passed a flaming piece of equipment ignited by a pyrotechnic frenzy! I immediately sensed something was amiss. It soon became evident that it took an exceptionally long time for any crew member to react. The fans who were closer to the flames grew increasingly anxious as they noticed the lack of immediate action. Interestingly, Mills and Knight also seemed unaware that the stage was on fire as they proceeded with their next song while the flames continued to burn.
Once the fire was extinguished, the following 70 minutes were filled with a mix of classic and fresh tracks, guest collaborators, and a constantly evolving and impressive multimedia and light display.
A trombonist and a trumpeter made notable contributions to several songs during the live performance, while singers Izzy Bizu, Naomi Wild and Charlie Houston also contributed captivating appearances. The crowd was delighted to experience the ethereal vocals of 21-year-old Houston in the enchanting rendition of “Wide Awake.”
They showcased many tracks from their renowned album, ‘A Moment Apart,’ including “La Ciudad,” “Across the Room,” “Line of Sight,” and the eponymous “A Moment Apart.” Another standout moment was during “Loyal,” where the snare drummers once again stole the spotlight.
Although many of their songs can get a little formulaic, and despite the duo barely moving from their designated positions behind their keyboard racks, the addition of spectacular visuals, lighting, and guest performers makes an Odesza show quite the spectacle.
Watch highlights of the show below:
SETLIST
This Version of You
Behind the Sun
All We Need
Love Letter / Something About You
Say My Name / Late Night
One Day They’ll Know (Pretty Lights cover)
Wide Awake / iPlayYouListen (with Charlie Houston)
Bloom
Equal / Boy
All My Life
(Interlude)
Line of Sight
Better Now (with Naomi Wild)
Forgive Me (with Izzy Bizu)
La Ciudad
TENSE (BRONSON song)
KEEP MOVING (BRONSON song)
Sun Models
Hopeful
Across the Room / Falls
Loyal
Don’t Stop
Higher Ground (with Naomi Wild) (Acoustic)
A Moment Apart / It’s Only
The Last Goodbye
Review & photos – Steve Gerrard
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