Anaiis appeared on the stage and offered the audience a friendly introduction of herself. She told the room that she hoped to set good vibrations while we waited for Mereba to grace the stage. She certainly fulfilled that promise with her opening song, “Transcending.”
She stood centre stage, solo with an electric guitar slung over her shoulder. She plucked the strings carefully and sang with utmost passion. Her voice was supple as she switched between singing in both English and French. I was instantly drawn in, and by the looks of the crowd around me, Anaiis had won the room with one song.
She very easily connected with the crowd through her music as well as when she spoke. She told us about her experiences—how she was born in France and moved around to various countries with her family as she was growing up. She now permanently lives in London with her two-and-a-half-year-old son, whom she spoke so fondly of.
With each song performed, the crowd’s applause grew louder and louder. I overheard multiple people complimenting her voice, and the majority of the crowd danced along with Anaiis. When she taught her audience the hook to her song “chuu,” they eagerly participated, and they sounded beautiful while doing it. Anaiis even said that they sounded like a choir, and someone in the crowd shouted out that they loved the song. An expression of gratitude washed over Anaiis’ face with a smile.
This crowd might’ve been here for Mereba, but they definitely seemed to love Anaiis’ opening act. She opened up to us during her show, and we took her in with open arms. The emotions that were put into each of her songs brought her close to the audience. When her set ended and she gave her goodbye, the audience sent her off with an extremely warm and loud applause. The room’s vibrations were far better than good, thanks to Anaiis.
Finally, the time came for Mereba, the woman of the hour, to make her way onto the stage. The crowd erupted in applause at the sight of her, welcoming her to begin her set. The first three songs, “White Doves,” “Ever Needed,” and “Rider,” were catchy and flowy. The crowd wasted no time starting to dance and sing beautifully to these clearly beloved songs.
There’s undoubtedly so much love in this audience. When Mereba paused her set to speak, there was not one other voice than her own that could be heard. She is listened to, she is respected by this crowd. Rightfully so—she has a sophistication in her voice, in the way she holds herself, and it translates incredibly through her music.
The band playing with her was amazing as well. They brought further life to each track, and all their talents meshed together wonderfully. The curation of the setlist was clearly thought out with care—it was total perfection. Not one person stood still; everyone’s bodies were guided into movement by the rhythm. Mereba’s voice was infectious as well. I clung onto every word she sang or spoke.
Midway through her set, Mereba addressed her audience and spoke about how her life considerably changed when she became a mother. She connected to the crowd by opening up her heart while speaking of her child, and the deep emotions she experiences as a mother. Naturally, the following song she performed was written for her child, called “Starlight (my baby).” The lyrics were sweet like honey—gentle and caring. An expression of love only a mother could create.
Mereba performed multiple songs from her latest album, The Breeze Grew a Fire, released on Valentine’s Day. Songs like “Meteorite,” “Phone Me,” and “Heart of a Child” were such great songs to see performed live. Before I knew it, Mereba announced that her set was coming to an end. This set flew by faster than I had expected, and after she performed her last song, “Sandstorm,” I knew I wanted to hear more.
The audience showed agreement with my inner monologue. As she began to walk off the stage, the room quickly filled with expectant cheering as the audience did all they could to encourage Mereba’s return to the stage. Thankfully, she answered our prayers and made her way back in front of us—the crowd’s adoring cheers only got louder.
The love grew exponentially when the beginning of “Bet” got the encore started. The audience and I listened attentively to each note and word, holding onto the last few moments before having to watch Mereba leave for the last time. She ended her set with “Black Truck,” the cherry on top of an incredible show.
I left this show feeling satisfied. The weather was beautiful for my trip home, and nothing could go wrong with Mereba’s angelic voice fresh in my mind. If you missed this show, I would not recommend making that same mistake the next time Mereba has a show in Montreal. There’s no way anyone left the Fairmount Theatre in a sour mood after witnessing her stunning talents.
Review – Jamie Siddall
Photos – Daphne Miller
