X Ambassadors + Noah Gundersen @ Beanfield Theatre

At a nicely packed Beanfield Theatre on Wednesday evening, the lights dimmed, and the crowd warmly welcomed the opening act: Noah Gundersen. Armed with nothing but his acoustic guitar and a heart full of soul, Gundersen took the audience on a heartfelt journey through his repertoire. From introspective tunes to fan favourites like “Robin Williams” and “Lose You,” he held the crowd in rapt attention.

It was clear there were many fans in the audience but it was the raw emotion of tracks like “First Defeat” and “Sleepless In Seattle” that truly struck a chord, showcasing Gundersen’s ability to bare his soul through music. As he bid adieu with “Cigarettes,” it was clear that Montreal had left an impression on him too, with Gundersen saying it may be his favourite show of the tour.

Noah Gundersen Setlist

Robin Williams
Lose You
Exit Signs
Atlantis
Bad Desire
First Defeat
Sleepless in Seattle
Cigarettes

Shortly after 9 o’clock, it was time for the main event: X Ambassadors. I have to admit here that I’m not the biggest fan of their music. I was more interested in seeing Noah Gundersen but stayed to check out the headliners.

Bursting onto the stage with their hit “Renegades,” the band had the crowd hooked from the get-go. Their setlist was a rollercoaster ride of energy and emotion, with tracks like “BOOM” and “I’m Not Really Here” getting everyone dancing, while heartfelt ballads like “Your Town” provided moments of reflection. And of course, no X Ambassadors show would be complete without the soul-stirring closer to the main set, “Unsteady.”

But what truly set the evening apart was the connection between the band and their audience. It was a clearly shared experience, and the band looked totally in their element up on stage. And as the final notes of “Jungle” faded away, it was clear that X Ambassadors’ Montreal fans were more than totally devoted. The cheers around the venue were deafening, echoing off the walls like a wave of euphoria sweeping through the crowd.

I’m still not a big fan of their style of music, but I couldn’t help but be impressed with their live performance and their connection to their audience.