The Longest Johns @ Beanfield Theatre▪

I hadn’t even entered the Théâtre Beanfield to see The Longest Johns on May 25, 2024, when I saw my first pirate shirt. I spotted the first costume on a man at Lionel Groulx as he was power-walking up the escalator ahead of me. I figured I wouldn’t need Google Maps anymore since we were probably headed to the same place, and I was correct. Sadly, he did not have a pirate hat, but that was quickly remedied as soon as I entered the venue and saw dozens upon dozens of pirate hats in every shape, colour, and plumage imaginable.

Truthfully, everyone who showed up for The Longest Johns looked like they would throw one hell of a backyard barbeque, complete with a bonfire (and probably some rogue fireworks), and/or host a superb DnD/LARP session.

You know a concert is going to be good when people are already stomping their feet to the pre-show recorded music, and taking the steps down to the bar makes you feel like you’re already drunk as they waver underneath your feet. The Longest Johns never disappoint, but even after listening to their recordings for years, I was not ready for them to take the stage to a mash-up of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song lyrics layered over We Will Rock You by Queen instrumentals. There is nothing like a bunch of burly and bearded men gleefully skipping to get to the pit as they yell, “Aye aye, Captain!”

Everyone in the crowd was happy to be there, happy to be alive, and even happier to have a pint in one hand and to keep the beat with their feet. The Longest Johns opened up the concert with, “Do we have any sailors in the room?” to thunderous applause and cheers. It seems only appropriate that the island of Montréal would be full of so many sea shanty enjoyers.

The band continued to delight with a show and tell of a tiny guitar-shaped cast iron skillet that they bought at Cracker Barrel in the States and the fanciest gold sandwich plate known to man before they played Hammer and the Anvil. Montréal turned up prepared for Moby Duck as a fan removed a wearable duck, complete with its own tiny pirate costume, attached to a leather shoulder harness, which was then handed forward to JD. The haunting song Bones in the Ocean had multiple people crying and hugging each other as they swayed to the beat.

Wellerman, the most popular song The Longest Johns have released, made the theatre shake violently as people jumped to the beat. If they happened to have the room to do so, they were dancing a jig, especially at the back of the venue where I was. The excitement was electric and truly peaked when Robbie hopped into the crowd for Retirement Song, although JD telling the crowd to quack for the group picture was a close second.

As the night ended and people began to trickle into the night air, the half-empty pit, which now had the room, began to dance to the post-show setlist as they waited for the band to come out and join them for autographs and pictures. It was during this period that I was able to ask the band if they had anything to say to their fans in Montréal or to people who should be listening to their music. Robbie, having a bit of a laugh, said, “All we say is the Beatles, we’re from England, The Rolling Stones and then a load of bits and then The Longest Johns.” Followed by, “That sounded confident, right?”

They have a right to be confident. The band’s talent and the sheer number of instruments were incredible. It’s been a while since I saw a double bass and banjo on stage, and it’s my humble opinion that more bands should have them. The skill required for their harmonies was incredible but got even more impressive when they brought out Seán Dagher, David Gossage, and Bill Gossage for a very special (and very Montréal) a cappella rendition of Leave Her, Johnny for the last stop of The Voyage Tour.

I won’t lie to you, there’s nothing like an a cappella shanty in such an acoustically fantastic venue to send a shiver up your spine and a tear to your eye. I hope they’ll record this version, with all eight of them, in the future so I can listen to it on repeat. I’m still waiting for my promised vacation trip with The Longest Johns to the White Frontier, but I’m happy to wait until the next time they come to Montréal.

Setlist

The Llandoger
Shawneetown
Hoist up the Thing
Whisky Is the Life of Man
Hammer and the Anvil
Mutiny
The White Whale
Moby Duck
Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
Oak & Ash & Thorn
Skadi’s Hammer
Bones in the Ocean (flashlight song)
White Frontier
John the Red Nose
Santiana
Hog eyed man
The Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers cover)
Wellerman
Leaving of Liverpool

Encore

Ashes (flashlight song)
Retirement song
Leave Her, Johnny (hauntingly beautiful and sang acapella with special guests Seán Dagher, David Gossage and Bill Gossage)