MTELUS truly has saved the best for last this year, with Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie gracing their stage. The Montreal-based artist required little introduction, not even an opener to warm up the crowd. What’s the need when you’re being greeted by familiar faces? Friends, family, neighbours, and longtime supporters could be seen in every direction.
I can’t speak for the rest of the crowd, but watching her and her band set up to a cover of “I Have a Dream” stirred a warm and fuzzy feeling within me, which stayed with me for the rest of the evening. We waited to be immersed in the “Uvattini” (Inuktitut for “home”) portion of her tour, and I could feel that she was going to share something special—something intimate.
As soon as the lights came on, it became evident that Uvattini would be a visual gift from start to finish. I was swept away by the dreamscape of soft light filtering through the smoke, with the spotlights isolating Elisapie on stage for her first song, timed perfectly to dissipate and reveal the supporting musicians.
Her custom cape, designed by Caroline Monnet (@coco.monnet), was a stunning exhibition of graceful movement, made playful with their use of industrial materials. I could have sworn she was dripping with pearlescent ribbons rather than flexible insulation.
I remained wide-eyed as she dove into her beautiful cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” The melody was so familiar and comforting but equally exciting and captivating as I listened to the Inuktitut lyrics. It was a beautiful moment, opening my heart and ears to take in her beautiful interpretation.
Following up with an Inuktitut cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” Elisapie had us swaying to this classic—later referring to these as songs she stole from white people (great use of irony)—but altered in a way that reflects herself, the land she grew up on, and the culture she holds close.
Further additions expanded on these elements; her storytelling was enriched with the use of dance, projected videos, and audio snippets throughout. As soon as I was lost in the music, there was something else to capture my attention.
Moving into her original music, I can only describe the energy as warm and glowing golden. She has a way of pouring her heart into each song with the perfect balance of gentleness and power. Elisapie expertly taps into each emotion, weaving it into the lyrics in a way that creates universal understanding.
Despite having little knowledge of the language, I could still be held by her music. Qanniu was a brilliant example of this. She explained the song—how it’s about rediscovering your own energy and remembering that it is never too late to clean up the energy around you.
In her words, “We still have time, it’s not winter yet,” which remains true, figuratively and otherwise. And if you needed a reminder of the hope that surrounds us, it was on stage in the form of joyful reverberation.
Fiddle! Saxophone! Dancing feet in time with the beat of the drums! Throat singing! All joining together to create an explosion of auditory joyful chaos that transcends what words could capture.
It is without a doubt that this talent for performance has been perfected over decades, Uvattini being a culmination of experience.
2024 marks the 25th anniversary of her first musical project, Taima, an impressive milestone that showcases her dedication, commitment, and growth as an artist.
I mentioned before that I expected there to be some intimacy, but the night exceeded all of my expectations.
Between each song, we gained insight into her world—a genuine retelling of her personal story. Though I am moved by Elisapie’s music, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to listen and learn from her.
Thank you for creating a space where I could let my emotions swell, and for giving us space to feel such joy as a collective.
To all who attended, I hope your night was as tender as mine.
To Elisapie, nakurmiik.
Setlist
- Heart of Glass
- Time After Time
- Call of the Moose
- Going to California
- The Unforgiven
- Dreams
- Wolves
- Qanniu
- Hey That’s No Way
- Una
- Fall Away
- Arnaq
- I Want to Break Free
- Wish You Were Here
- If It Makes You Happy
- Born to be Alive
Review – Lauren Maddock
Photos – Ryan Rumpel
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