It was already humid enough outside as summer was thrust upon us. Tonight Hot Chip was about to raise The Corona Theatre’s temperature to a feverish level. Coming all the way from across the pond in London, visiting us for the first time since 2019. On this short North American Tour, of which there was only one act invited, to kick it all off this evening.
Opener, hip-hop artist Cadence Weapon ran out on stage with an air of uncertainty. The toughest job as an opening act is grabbing the crowd’s attention. His high energy won over this particular eclectic ensemble of concertgoers. “I love the vibe of Montreal in the summer, it brings out the animalistic nature in all of us,” Cadence exclaimed, as he hyped up the crowd and brought more people into the venue.
He recounted an incident, opening for Rihanna at Ottawa’s Bluesfest years ago. Let’s just say it didn’t go well, and his verbal reaction live on the mic to the crowd not liking him killed the vibe. Instigating them to boo him right offstage. His expletives got him a temporary ban on Ottawa radio stations. And this was in an era before our absolute addiction and accessibility to rant on social media. I can’t imagine him making a comeback if he tried that today. He ate his fair share of humble pie.
The floor of the Corona was filling up fast, with most folks hoping to just let loose. At any age, I believe that it’s still a necessity, every once in a while. I admit it wasn’t my usual show, but I thoroughly enjoyed his style, an ode to the way hip-hop used to be. Two people, a mic, and a turntable. Simple but effective, especially when the lyrics have meaning.
In a song about gentrification, Skyline highlighted the issues the majority of Canadians are facing as this preventable housing crisis worsens. The first half of the set was by far the strongest. Heavy beats with a strong message. He delivered a song about three-time Brazilian F1 racing Champion, driver Ayrton Senna, who died tragically in a crash in 1994’s Grand Prix.
The latter part of the set was dedicated to having fun, feeling the vibes of summer and warming up the crowd properly for Hot Chip. Increasing the volume with some techno, house, and R&B, and more danceable songs. You could tell he was having a great time as he received feedback from the balcony as he encouraged them to participate. The crowd, now fully awake, up and out of their seats, were waving their hands from side to side. As he performed a cover of Busty and the Bass song, Airplanes.
Finishing off his set with a few anecdotes of good times in venues that have long since closed their doors in Montreal, such as Underworld. Expressing the inspiration he took from witnessing famous DJ sets and happenings when he lived here. Something our city is quite famous for. I hear that perspective at most concerts from touring bands and believe it to actually be the truth.
The energy was fizzling out slightly as the band was at least twenty minutes late. But the momentum was regained quickly, as they emerged from the back of the drums. Stylistically, they are mostly a purely early synth-pop-inspired band with heavy beat-driven improvisation. Witnessing an entire stage filled with mostly keys and synths. It seemed like any other instrument was an added bonus. I knew it was going to be a wall of soul-shaking sound.
I love seeing when bands enjoy their music as much as the fans they produce it for. It was a sea of dancing, bouncing souls, working up a real sweat. I had first heard of Hot Chip through their earworm hit songs. They automatically make you want to move. Sprinkling the best of songs such as “Over and Over” and “Ready for the Floor” throughout the set to keep everyone engaged.
Bringing out Cadence for a collaboration on their darker song “The Evil that Men Do” was one of the highlights of the night. With dual vocals in the group from singers Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor and then a breakdown by Cadence at the end fit perfectly. Great collaboration.
The feeling they captured for me and plenty others my age was not just purely eighties. Lots of nineties influence as well. In a time before everything was autotuned. Clearly showing off their musical talent, interchanging duties between instruments including a flugelhorn and steel pans.
I was transported on a nostalgic musical trip. I find this type of music still gets produced, minus a lot of true feeling or emoting anything at all. One-hit wonders. No staying power. Unlike Hot Chip, who have managed to grow and create a soundtrack for a new generation over the last twenty years. With a new album out in 2022, Freak Out/Release. Which seemed to flow with the theme of the evening. Until it was time to slow it down for the first fake exit of the band.
For those who survived the heat generated tonight, it was time for that last release of energy before it was back to reality, to a boring nine-to-five job. They gifted the crowd the last of their favorite songs and they responded in return by singing their lungs out. I was dancing down the stairs as I made my way out of the venue just as the last song played out. I needed air, and so did the mob of sweat-drenched people behind me. It was a fun experience; I’m glad I took a chance to see them on this tour.
Review – Sam Morris
Photos – Kieron Yates
