Opening slot in this city is something of a curse, as we are too spoiled to show up and acknowledge local or lesser known artists. That was the case Johnny Ripper faced as he began his bizarre and truly unique set to a half filled room. Stood alone at the front of the stage, with just the glow from his iMac and a solitary light glowing on his face, Ripper began a strange DJ set comprised of old film scores and audio clips on conversations over lapping that. I’m all for audio oddities and lapped this up like a kitten going to town on a saucer of milk. Seems the majority of the room felt the same way, and Ripper was awarded a solid clapping of hands. He was gracious enough to offer free handmade copies of his album and the conclusion of his set, to which I happily accepted. (I’ve added the link to his Soundcloud account below)
Ireland’s God Is An Astronaut, purveyors of ambient and instrumental post-rock, were next to the stage which now faced a capacity gathering in front of it. Kicking off with “Beautiful Decay” to the ferocious and enthusiastic clapping of hands that welcomed the explosion of sound. The crowd interactions, cheering and yelling out words of encouragement would be a continued theme on the night. Deserved thoroughly, as the group proved that they are as good on stage as they are on compact disc or vinyl – you know, those weird flat things you crazy kids have forgotten all about.
Perhaps the energy from the crowd came as a shock to the lads, who normally skip the city of Montreal and concentrate their Canadian dates on our two other metropolis cities. Foolish as that may seem, those in attendance made sure that God Is An Astronaut will be returning to town on their next trek across North America.
With lights beyond dim, the focus was purely on the music and the places it brought the listener. Largely instrumental, the sounds throbbing out of the speakers bore a vortex of dreamscapes and otherworldly passages – like an audio narcotic. And like a narcotic, with each riff, the participant was taken higher and higher to a euphoric state. That is the power of post-rock in a live environment, especially when done at such a quality level as this.
The crowd were mostly silenced, unlike the disrespectful manner some conducted themselves during Johnny Ripper’s opening set. Really, take the conversation outside. They hung on every note, while some threw their arms to the sky as if to embrace the sound waves emanating towards them. This is what it must be like to attend a cult – all in on the same journey.
Strangely enough, their final song was dedicated to former WWF/WWE wrestler Brett “The Hitman” Heart, who was “screwed in Montreal at Wrestlemania” and with the crowd silenced and baffled, the question was asked “are there no wrestling fans here tonight?” (Where were YOU Jason Hughes?). A few cheers followed, but nothing near the boisterous roar the audience had given the boys at every interval on the evening.
Once the show had reached its conclusion, the band members instead of dashing off backstage, walked down the small staircase at the head of the stage into the crowd, mingling and going about their business as if being musicians belonging to a local group, playing their first show for a gathering of friends and family. Hands were shook and thumbs up given, even the odd high five was thrown. The jest itself, though, shows the character and mindset of the band and I think that is something many artists could borrow from.
Written and photographed by Kieron Yates
Check out Johnny Ripper at: https://soundcloud.com/johnny_ripper
01. Beautiful Decay
02. Pig Powder
03. Echoes
04. Snowfall
05. Vetus Memoria
06. Worlds In Collision
07. Helios | Erebus
08. From Dust To The Beyond
09. Fragile
10. Centralia
11. Forever Lost
12. Agneya
13. Red Moon Lagoon
14. Suicide By Star
15. Zodiac By Star
