Silvana Estrada returned to Montreal with a performance that showed exactly why her reputation keeps growing. Beanfield Theatre is a natural fit for her music, the kind of room where good acoustics meet attentive audiences. Estrada stepped into that environment with calm assurance, opening with her cuatro and easing the room into her world.
Her voice was the centre of the night, luminous and controlled, carrying the emotional weight of Vendrán Suaves Lluvias without overwhelming the space. Even the softest notes travelled cleanly, and the fuller moments expanded naturally without tipping into theatrical excess.
The band joined for portions of the set, adding warmth and depth while staying anchored to Estrada’s pacing. The interplay was careful and attentive, shaped by musicians who understand how to support a vocalist whose phrasing shifts from delicate to forceful within a single line. Their contributions gave structure to the songs without crowding her, especially during arrangements that leaned into the emotional intensity of the material.
Estrada’s writing explores loss, longing and the process of stitching yourself back together, yet her performances never feel weighed down. Montreal responded to that balance. Songs with heavier themes didn’t sink the atmosphere, and the more hopeful moments rose naturally. The contrast created a steady emotional arc.
Her solo sections were the highlights, showcasing the clarity and nuance that define her live shows. With only the cuatro beneath her voice, the songs unfolded with a directness that recordings can hint at but never fully capture. These moments weren’t about spectacle. They were about precision, breath and the kind of quiet focus that draws a room inward.
The full-band pieces carried their own energy. The percussion added texture without dominating the mix, and the guitar lines shaded the arrangements with soft colour. The musicianship was consistently strong throughout.
Estrada closed the night with a performance shaped more by emotional coherence than volume or scale. Her final song settled the room rather than sending it soaring, and the response reflected the show as a whole, appreciative and steady. There was no forced uplift, just a clear sense of having witnessed an artist in command of her craft.
Montreal audiences reward honesty and focus, and Estrada offered both. Her set at Beanfield Theatre was intimate without feeling fragile, expressive without drifting toward excess, and anchored by a voice that continues to surprise. It was a quietly affecting night, shaped by skill and a performer who understands how to hold a room.
Photos – Kate Woolliams
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