Having been going to shows in Montreal for almost 18 years now, there’s something kinda thrilling about setting foot in a new venue here; it almost never happens anymore! Walking into La Toscadura, on the ground floor of a Spanish social club, it reminds me instantly of the long-defunct Club Lambi, with its scuffed vinyl floor tiles and suspended ceiling tiles giving the feel of it being an open-concept office by day, rock venue by night. I love it!
It’s been almost exactly a year since the last time I saw hometown heroes Cola, and my wish from that show is granted tonight; they are the undisputed headliners, and this packed crowd is all theirs. Pallor Tricks kicks off the set in thunderous manner, frontman Tim Darcy spitting the opening “Con-ver-sa-tion,” as if it was the most powerful word in the English language.
Bassist Ben Stidworthy is a dominant force throughout, his riffs driving most of their catalogue, such as on Tracing Hallmarks and stellar new song Mendicant. Drummer Evan Cartwright adds his own experimentation in places too; on Bell Wheel, his hi-hat stutter drums seem both disjointed and completely fluid, all at the same time. Indeed, the expressions he pulls on So Excited and the shapes he throws on Degree suggest that he’s more immersed in the show than we are!
They deviate little from their post-punk lane during the course of the 50-minute set, but there’s really no need to; their Television/Interpol sound feels fresh with every passing song. The subtle intro of Bitter Melon builds into that eerie chorus riff, and sounds huge, ending with Tim on his knees in a shroud of distortion that seamlessly melts into the more mellow Blank Curtain. Despite being at opposite ends of the sonic spectrum, Albatross and Water Table sound equally wonderful tonight too.
Before closing with the jaunty strum of Keys Down If You Stay, Tim proclaims, “This is the perfect send-off before we head into the studio to work on a new record!” Couldn’t have put it any better myself; a perfect send-off indeed!
Setlist
- Pallor Tricks
- Tracing Hallmarks
- Reprise
- At Pace
- Mendicant
- Bell Wheel
- Bitter Melon
- Blank Curtain
- So Excited
- Degree
- Albatross
- Water Table
- Keys Down If You Stay
Review & photos – Simon Williams
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