Zoon
Up first on La Sala Rossa’s stage was Daniel Monkman of Zoon, a shoegaze band from Ontario. They faced the crowd equipped with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, and offered an introduction of themself to the crowd. Monkman quickly gained the audience’s attention and told the crowd a few stories of what it was like growing up on the Anishinaabe reserves.
That in their childhood, they were fed government food rations. These rations were not of ideal quality and caused most of the people living there to live with obesity and diabetes. Monkman called it for what it is, a colonial tactic used to lessen the Indigenous population.
Within the first couple of minutes, they made it known to their audience that their performance is not only about their own music, that they would be reminding us all of the atrocities Indigenous people are experiencing every day. They opened their set with “Government Food Rations,” which has yet to be released. The song is tragic, the lyrics raw, and their voice was filled with sorrow. It told the harsh realities and oppression Indigenous people are forced to face. How our government, our entire society, continues to fail them.
Throughout their entire set, Monkman had my full attention. Especially when a cellist joined them on stage. Monkman switched out their acoustic guitar for a digital one, harmonica still around their neck. They stated that they’re pretty sure they’re the first ever person to wield a digital guitar with a harmonica, and after a laugh from the crowd, Monkman appropriately yelled out, “Fuck colonizers!” before getting into their next song.
Zoon’s set continued on with more unreleased music. Occasionally Monkman would recount the story behind a song or what kind of sound they were looking for while writing it. Each track performed had me feeling like I was floating around the room. Like the intentions behind every note had the power to lift me off my feet. Incredibly moving.
Right before closing their set, Monkman explained how they wanted to play this last song on the grand piano that sat in La Sala Rossa but were discouraged from doing so by the booking team. And in the middle of their rant, Amy Millan stepped out into the crowd and encouraged them to play the song anyway, which was the push that Monkman needed.
They sat at the piano, waved the crowd to move in closer, and began playing. It quickly turned into a beautiful moment between Monkman and their audience. They even asked us all to sing along to a few lyrics with them, making it a true shared performance.
The spontaneity of the moment felt so moving to me, a feeling of gratitude for being able to witness the moment came over me. It was a wonderful ending to a memorable set from Daniel Monkman of Zoon. Before leaving, they thanked the audience and received the same gratefulness from the cheering crowd before them. Such a perfect opening performance for the night.
Amy Millan
The minute that Amy Millan stepped onto stage with her band right behind her, I could instantly feel the warmth of her personality radiating off her. She gave a big greeting to her audience that gathered in front of her, stating that she sees the familiar faces of her dear friends. I could hear a few people call out hello to her, and Millan’s face would brighten upon recognizing each voice.
The opening notes to her song “Borderline” from her latest album “I Went To Find You” were produced by her band, and once Amy Millan began singing, the crowd fell silent. Her voice was a fresh blessing to hear, it travelled through the room to meet the ears of a room filled with her loved ones. She sounded incredible, in total control.
As I looked around the room, I could see people move around to greet each other, hugging one another with excited expressions on their faces. It was like one big reunion, it seemed like no matter where people looked they found someone they were excited to see.
Amy Millan’s stage presence throughout her set put the entire room at ease. She cracked a lot of funny jokes that made everyone laugh, and her joy was just infectious. Every moment felt intimate, like she might as well have been performing in a dear friend’s living room.
Her set had plenty of songs from her newest album, which is her first solo album released in about 15 years, songs like “Wire Walks,” “The Overpass,” and “Murmurations.” Millan spent a good amount of time talking to her audience of supporters, explaining her inspirations and telling stories about her life in Montreal. It didn’t just feel like a concert, it really felt like Millan was letting her audience in. Her words felt sincere, her smile was bright and genuine.
Towards the end of her set, Millan performed two tracks by Stars, an indie rock band that she joined back in 2000. She played “Ageless Beauty” solo up on stage, with the audience acting as her backing vocals, and “My Favourite Book” right after. The crowd danced and sang along, keeping the same energy that they had all throughout the night.
With only so many songs left on her set, Millan gave her audience a gracious thanks. She thanked everyone for making it out to her show, reassuring everyone that she understands that “the couch is comfy” and it can be a chore to put on some nice clothes and head out into the world. But community and self-care is showing up, it’s making it to events like this one to show face and show support. Amy Millan and her audience truly fulfilled that.
She also thanked Zoon for their set and told the crowd that she often doesn’t like what she finds on the internet. That she sees so many upsetting things on there about the world, but the internet brought her a friendship with Daniel Monkman and Zoon. She expressed how excited she is to finally tour with them like they have been discussing. What a treat to be able to see two incredible musicians perform together in my city.
Millan expressed how embarrassing she found encores to be and informed everyone that she had two songs left to perform. She instructed us to clap and cheer anyways but she was not going to be walking off the stage, she would just continue on. And continue on she did with “Don Valley.”
Right before her last song, she told the crowd that she’s using a loop pedal for the first time. “I saw someone use one in like 1990, and I told myself, ‘That’s so cool, I think I’ll use one in 2025,’” which got a really good laugh out of myself and the rest of the crowd. She proceeded to try and show off her newfound skill and sing “I’m a loop pedal” into the microphone plugged into it. She got it to loop one layer but unfortunately wasn’t successful for the second layer. She laughed it off with her audience and promised she’d practice.
Her last song on her setlist was “Skinny Boy,” released in 2006 on her album “Honey From The Tombs.” It made my chest feel so full. As tired as I was on that Wednesday night, I did not want this show to end. I didn’t know a single person in the room at that point, but after Amy Millan’s set filled with banter and laughs, I felt like I was a part of this big family. I almost wanted to hug everyone goodbye after the set had ended, but I did not, that would’ve made it weird. Instead, I joined in on the crowd’s loud applause and cheering.
Millan humbly thanked everyone, promising them that she’d do her rounds to say hello and mingle with everyone. This was a night filled with warmth, it wasn’t just a show, it was a reunion. It was proof of the love that surrounds Amy Millan, not just as a musician but as a person. Montreal showed its love for her, and she did just the same in return. Gorgeous concert, I’m so glad to have been there to see it.
Review – Jamie Siddall
Photos – Steve Gerrard
