It’s Wednesday night, and inside the intimate confines of Bar le Ritz, an already packed room eagerly awaits the musical stylings of Sam Evian and Hannah Cohen, partners in life and on stage.
Hannah Cohen, with her understated acoustic indie charm, had the crowd paying attention from the beginning. It was a treat to see Evian himself on keys and electric guitar during her set, giving the audience a sneak peek of the headliner to come. There were some fun exchanges between Cohen and the crowd, a sense that they were regulars at each other’s living room concerts.
While Cohen seemed a bit humbled and maybe not super happy with how she was sounding, the enthusiastic cheers after each song told a different story. I, for one, thought she was fantastic (and ended up walking out with her record).
Sam Evian‘s set leaned into his signature brand of chill indie rock, with subtle folk flourishes that felt right at home in the intimate venue. There were some initial sound gremlins, making it tough to catch the vocals at first, but the crew wrangled them quickly. The show started slow and dreamy, building momentum as it went. The band was like a well-oiled indie machine, each member in their own corner, jamming in a way that felt loose and spontaneous, like a late-night jazz session.
The audience responded in kind, completely silent during the music, erupting in cheers during the breaks. It was wonderful to see a mixed-generational crowd, ranging in age from twenty-somethings to people in their fifties, drawn together by the music. That music included songs from Evian’s most recent album, “Plunge,” as well as his earlier work. While I can’t confirm a sell-out (though based on online buzz and the packed house, it wouldn’t surprise me), it’s safe to say this was a memorable night for Montreal music lovers.
Photos – Andres Amaya
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