When I rolled up to Petit Campus, I was totally naive to the fact that I was walking into a banger of an opener – not quite the quiet evening I was expecting! It only took a couple of conversations to realise that Chicago-based group, Sharp Pins, has a solid following north of the border. Their upbeat indie-rock sound attracted a youthful and energetic crowd, amplified by the seasonal return of university-aged concertgoers. Not to say these guys are much older, but the unassuming trio packed a punch. Their style is equal parts classic (approachable beats impossible not to clap along to) and unpredictable (lowkey whiplash from a set list that went from love ballads to skatepark anthems) which definitely kept me on my toes throughout.
Their sound was impressive and the banter even better; the goofiness and wit the pals had on stage put me straight into a senior year home video, providing their own nostalgic, coming-of-age pop-rock background music. And say it hadn’t been a ball, say I had stopped paying attention for half a second? Snapping a bass string on stage would have captured my attention IMMEDIATELY. No bass? No problem though. Kate’s bassist stepped in with theirs, which was followed by a collective sigh from the band when they saw just how much better her bass sounded… If I were them, I wouldn’t worry too much about that though – they’d already sold out of their new album by the time they made it to Montreal. Pretty rad indicator of things to come from this group (ie. keep your eyes peeled for them in your “Up and Coming” playlists).
I have to highlight just how little time there was between performers; I feel like I turned away and Kate Bollinger was right there in front of me when I turned back to the stage. As an audience, we truly appreciate it, and this crowd sure showed it. I don’t think I’ve been to a more respectful, intimate, and friendly concert – definitely not what I expected in Montreal. Seriously, a stranger saved my spot while I stepped out (without me even asking??) and I had plenty of personal space even feet away from the stage. Not only did it make me super proud to be a fan, but it set the tone for the night, making Kate’s presence feel more like a friend playing in a living room instead of a downtown venue, where only a wall separated us from the neighbouring nightclub.
If you haven’t heard Kate’s voice before (you should address that ASAP; please start with “Untitled”), she has some of the most calming, gentle, sway-worthy vocals I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. I continue to admire how her music hovers over the boundary of folk and jazz, all the while maintaining her signature ethereal whisper. Her stage presence is modest and unassuming, which really allows for her voice to take the spotlight. She didn’t need anything more than that, which was a refreshing change of pace that I welcomed with the change of the seasons. Being welcomed to such a cozy show made the drizzle outside not quite so bad.
Of course, she had to have a little bit of fun with us. Nothing about her show was going to put us to sleep, between dream-state ballads, the crowd was dancing and grooving to up-tempo covers and well-known originals. No one seemed to want to let the evening end, including those on stage. It was “last song” after “last song,” and then when she finally went to wrap things up? An audience member called out “Please play Candy!” and without hesitation, she dove into it. To our dismay, it truly was the last of the last. Before stepping off stage though, the band announced that this show was one their best ever. Last song, but absolutely not the last we’ll see of her. <3
Review & live photos – Lauren Maddock
Watch our interview with Kate Bollinger below:
