On Wednesday night, Canadian songwriter Jade LeMac made her debut performance in the 514 at Studio TD. At 21 years old and on her first tour, the Vancouver-based artist showed just how fast she’s rising, selling out the downtown venue. Showcasing mainly her debut EP Constellations, along with some upcoming music, she gave her full energy and delivered a great show to the young Montreal audience.
Opening for LeMac was Alex Porat, who already had the venue packed 30 minutes before she even started her set. It quickly became clear that this was more of a double bill than a traditional opener and headliner. The young crowd knew all her songs and cheered through her entire performance. Her set included some of her biggest hits, like “Better Than That” and “A Face Like Yours.” Throughout her show, she interacted with the audience—taking selfies with fans’ phones and grabbing a pair of glowing neon glasses while performing “Sensitive.”
A standout moment was her cover of Taylor Swift’s vintage hit “You Belong With Me,” which made the crowd erupt as soon as the first chords played. Smiling from ear to ear, she closed her set with “Hatelove,” leaving the audience more than ready for the headliner.
At 9 p.m. sharp, the lights dimmed and ambient synths filled the room. Through a wall of smoke, the band took the stage first, followed by Jade LeMac moments later. Dressed simply in jeans and a black hoodie, she proved she didn’t need anything flashy to command the stage. Opening with “There’s People Watching” from her 2023 album Constellations, she swayed across the stage, smiling and interacting with fans—some of whom had been waiting outside Studio TD since 8 a.m., many holding signs that read things like “Trade a bracelet for a video with me” or “Take a pic with us!”
During the first few songs, she frequently grabbed phones from the front row to take pictures and videos, prompting a sea of hands reaching out, hoping she’d grab theirs next.
Even though it was her first time in the city and her rise is still relatively new, the sold-out crowd knew every single word to every song. LeMac couldn’t stop smiling throughout her 16-song set, seemingly in awe of how far her music had reached—from Vancouver all the way to the opposite side of the continent.
After “Aimed to Kill,” one of the punchiest tracks from her latest album, she briefly left the stage before returning for an encore. She performed “Sleep With the Lights On” and wrapped up the night with “Constellations”—the song that went viral on streaming platforms and earned her a deal with Arista Records. It was the perfect ending to a memorable night, leaving some of her young fans in tears as she took her final bow.
At just 21 years old, Jade LeMac showed that although her career is only just beginning to take off, she’s already more than ready for the spotlight. With great command of both the stage and the crowd, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her headlining one of the city’s iconic larger venues when she inevitably returns in a year or two.
Review & photos – Andres Amaya
Share this :
