Frown Line
Frown Line opened to a thin crowd, easing in with an ambient intro. Singer Annika‘s voice was smooth and paired lovely with the band’s soft vibe they started off with. With so few people in the room, the set felt intimate and warm, and the cheering came through loud and encouraging despite the numbers.
That is the upside of a small show; there is plenty of room for the performers to connect with the audience. Someone near the front told Annika they liked their shirt, a graphic tee with four animals playing instruments, and the two chatted about where it came from and which animal stood for each member of the band.
I had seen Frown Line here before, opening for Rosie Tucker in 2024, and enjoyed them then. This time was no different. I could see flashes of lightning peeking through the blinds along with the heavy rain coating the windows. Frown Line put on a lovely performance, raising the anticipation for those in attendance so far.
Lia Pappas-Kemps
Lia Pappas-Kemps started strong and lively, her voice sweet and controlled. The crowd already seemed to know her, dancing along from the first song, which brought a smile to her face.
Her first full-length record, Winged, came out a couple of months before the show, and the tracks were lovely to hear live as well. She is a wonderful performer. She mentioned this is also her first ever tour, and spoke with real sincerity about her respect for Rachel Bobbitt, and how she feels she has grown as a performer just from watching Rachel play every night. I’d say Lia should be proud of the performance she brought to Montreal; her set was so enjoyable.
Rachel Bobbitt
The room fell quiet once Rachel Bobbitt took the stage. Her band came in and she began to sing. Her voice was ethereal and sure. It rang through my ears and travelled through my chest, filling me with admiration for her undeniable talent. Not only is she an incredible lyricist and vocalist, she is also filled to the brim with charisma. She spoke to the crowd often while tuning her guitar, making everyone chuckle along with her as she told brief stories. She thanked everyone for coming out despite the heat. “It’s feeling a little delirious, but it’s kinda nice. It’s like we’re all in a dream.”
A few songs in, Rachel invited Lia back up to share the stage. She said it was the first time on the tour the two had sung together, so it felt like a special treat, and their voices matched together perfectly. Rachel mentioned it felt like we were all at a sleepover, and it was hard to disagree.
It truly was a blessing to have been able to witness such incredible talents. I have been a fan of Rachel Bobbitt for a few years now, and I continue to really enjoy the projects she puts out. I’m already looking forward to the next time she plays a show in Montreal.
Review – Jamie Siddall
Photos – Steve Gerrard
