One of the best places to be in July is Montreal. We have Jazzfest, the comedy fest and now there is Soulfest. Imagine four days of soul, R&B, funk, Motown, gospel and disco by some of the city’s best artists.
I was lucky enough to catch the last two nights, where I was treated to a VIP seat with cocktails and a gift bag by the lovely Rémie Desir, who was part of Soulfest’s dynamic team.
On Saturday night, I got to witness Montreal‘s legendary Michelle Sweeney, who got the party started with Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” and kept it hot with disco classics; “It’s Raining Men and “Disco Inferno.” I loved her super funky version of Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It,” where her drummer did fantastic vocals while she did an intense rap.
From her copper curls to her magenta mumu, Miss Sweeney was on fire. Especially during one of my Motown favourites, Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”
From the moment she hit the outdoor stage until the very last song, her energy was high, her band was tight and the dance floor was packed with grooving fans. There were hundreds of people sprawled down Saint Catherine St. West (which was closed for the occasion), in front of St. James Church. The courtyard was well set up with a stage, dancing area and elevated VIP section, serving dinner and drinks from @le Balcon. Professional dancers from the cabaret appeared in front of the church arches in sexy, sparkling sequined costumes adding even more excitement.
We were all dancing and cheering, and no one wanted the night to end, but by law, we had to clear out by 11 o’clock. And I couldn’t wait until Sunday night because I knew I was coming back.
I didn’t think Dawn Tyler Watson could top Michelle Sweeney’s performance, but she came pretty damn close. Opening her set with the timeless Marvin Gaye Motown classic, “What’s Going On,” Dawn hooked us in and kept us wanting more. Her vocals and attitude were powerful and sultry, and her range was ridiculous. Dawn could sing any style of song and make it her own. She covered Prince’s “Kiss” and The Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Running” with an undeniable passion that was felt throughout the crowd.
I loved her version of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish.” She also did a super funky cover of “Boogie Oogie Oogie” (A Taste of Honey) with that famous baseline intro and a bluesy “Come Together” (the Beatles) with some great guitar work. There was no style she couldn’t master, and the same goes for her phenomenal band.
I’ve been to many music festivals and outdoor concerts but the energy at Soulfest hit different. There was this elevated sense of joy that radiated from the stage to the street. Everyone from the musicians to the security guards, the servers and the spectators was smiling. Then again, it’s hard to be sad when you’re listening to disco or Motown.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any hotter, Meredith Marshall (Atomic Glam) joined Dawn on stage for a revved-up duet of “Chain of Fools”. I’m not sure if it was planned or spontaneous but the way they fed off each other’s magnetic energy was a real treat to watch. They closed with “Proud Mary”, as everyone, young and old, got on their feet to dance and clap. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wished that the night wouldn’t end and neither did Dawn, boldly stating, “In my day, we would party till the cops come”
As she thanked her band, the audience and all the organizers, workers and volunteers and founder Julien Robillard for making this fabulous festival a reality, I noticed people hugging and kissing and congratulating each other for such a successful first edition of a truly memorable event. I can’t wait till next year. I’m definitely gonna do four nights.
Review & photos – Annette Aghazarian
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