Discovery Zone
Kicking off this dreamy Sunday evening was the experimental pop act “Discovery Zone.” This band is the solo project of New York based musician JJ Weihl.
She hid behind a transparent curtain with her humble setup while trippy visuals were projected onto it for the entirety of her set. I thought this was a simple but extremely effective way to achieve the vibe she was going for.
Their music sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi film. Many of the songs featured expansive soundscapes, thumping bass lines and robotic filtered vocals. I found that it paired very well with the visuals and created a very somber but dreamy atmosphere.
Overall, I found that Discovery Zone was a great choice as an opener for this show and put the audience in the right frame of mind for what was to follow.
L’Rain
Next up was a change of pace in sound, but a great continuation to this evenings atmosphere. “L’Rain” walked on stage to ambient rainforest sounds. Each member sipped on a glass of wine throughout their whole performance. I found that fitting as I could easily see their songs being a soundtrack to a wine & cheese evening.
I haven’t listened to their studio material but I’d best describe their live sound as psychedelic pop meets jazz fusion. Many tracks featured smooth sax playing and a drummer who was extremely groovy and in pocket. At times he would get so lost in his playing that he’d drop a drumstick, a struggle I know too well! Even so, he didn’t miss a beat and was a pleasure to observe the entire time.
As lead singer Taja Cheek’s voice floated on top of the dreamy instrumentals the passion in her craft was evident. All the songs they played blended together for me, which I wouldn’t necessarily say was a bad thing. Their set passed by super fast – I certainly enjoyed it. It was the perfect setup for the following act, getting the audience in the right frame of mind!
Crumb
Crumb has been on my radar since their debut album dropped in 2019. Outside of their popular tracks however, I never gave them much more attention. I always thought their music was enjoyable but failed to see what set them apart from many other indie pop acts. That changed when this Montreal show was announced in
support of their new album, AMAMA. For the first time I decided to give one of their albums a full listen and was immediately hooked. AMAMA seems like the most mature version of Crumb, a very concise but refined album that ventures into new territory for the band.
Even though they have quite the discography to choose from at this point in their career, the band played 10 tracks from AMAMA, clearly demonstrating how confident they are in their latest offering. The new songs teeter more on the psychedelic rock and jazz side than the traditional jangle rock that Crumb burst onto the scene with. Even so, their setlist was masterfully crafted to showcase everything that they’re capable of.
The live renditions of songs were refreshingly dynamic, with extended jams and improvisations that showcased the band’s musical prowess. I especially appreciated this on “Cracking”, which features a short but sweet sax solo that was greatly expanded on live. Hearing this song reach its full potential cemented it as one of my favourites. The chemistry between the members was palpable; each instrumentalist had their moment to shine, whether it was the fluid basslines on tracks like “The Bug”, the intricate drumming on “Genie”, or the lush, shimmering guitar work on “Locket”.
The crowd was fully engaged, swaying and dancing in perfect sync with the music. The genius of this band wasn’t wasted on their Montreal audience. Crumb’s music demands the listener’s full attention. While the band themselves played very loud, the crowd stayed focused and engaged as lead singer Lila Ramani’s dreamy voice soared on top of the lush instrumentals.
Every time I attend a show at the Beanfield Theatre (forever Corona in my heart), I’m always enamoured with the acoustics. This show was no exception; the mix was immaculate. Each instrument had its room to breathe and the vocals weren’t lost. I felt like they were playing directly into a pair of headphones; hearing every detail.
Crumb’s concert was a triumph of both musicality and performance. It’s clear that the band is not only skilled in the studio but also excels in creating an engaging, memorable live experience. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it— Crumb proves once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the indie music scene.
SETLIST:
- AMAMA
- Cracking
- (Alone In) Brussels
- The Bug
- Balloon
- Nightly News
- From Outside A Window Sill
- BNR
- Genie
- Part III
- Ghostride
- Dust Bunny
- Retreat!
- Side By Side
- Crushxd
- Nina
- XXX
- Trophy
Encore:
- Ice Melt
- Locket
Review & photos – Michael Anestopoulos
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