Having spent plenty of time with Roses on repeat, I was excited to finally see Widowspeak live when they arrived at L’Escogriffe. It was my first time photographing the duo, and the intimate Montreal venue felt particularly well suited to their atmospheric dream-pop.
There is something about seeing this kind of music in a smaller room that makes sense. Rather than being swallowed by a large stage, the understated nature of Widowspeak’s sound could remain at the centre of the evening. The close setting complemented the hazy atmosphere of the songs and made the performance feel personal without diminishing the music.
The set included material from Roses alongside older fan favourites. After becoming so familiar with the album at home, hearing those songs performed live gave the evening an added sense of anticipation for me. Widowspeak’s music has a quiet pull to it, and that quality translated naturally to the stage and the surroundings of the room.
There was a good turnout, with the room filling out for an evening that never needed spectacle to hold people’s attention. The appeal was in the atmosphere and the chance to experience these songs at close range, in a venue where the distance between the performers and audience was kept to a minimum.
Opening act Neu Blume also made a strong first impression and proved a fitting addition to the night.
Review & photos – Steve Gerrard
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