Right before the world went into a near global lockdown thanks to a pandemic, we took a 12 hour road trip to see UK artist Dermot Kennedy at Place des Arts in Montreal.

The car was literally cased in ice by the time we finished our nearly three hour drive – welcome to March in Canada! – but it was well worth it.

The venue itself was stunning; a theatre with art pieces displayed amongst the common areas. The auditorium was gorgeous, and the sound was perfect for both Dermot and SYML’s music.

SYML opened the show, an artist I’d listened to a handful of times before, but who is now fully integrated into my regular music rotation. He was accompanied by a friend on the violin, playing a handful of songs and stopping to chat to the crowd in between. Stand out songs were Girl, written for his daughter, and Flags. The latter is about an experience with cancer, and I’ve been absolutely in love with it since.

Then came Dermot’s set. I knew he was a popular artist, but was still shocked at how many people were signing every word to every song. His voice was wonderful, his band playing seemingly effortlessly with him. I always get worried that artists I enjoy recorded because of their haunting lyrics and vocals will underwhelm live, but that certainly wasn’t the case here.

The set list was a mix of old and new, thankfully with my favourites – Rome and All My Friends – thrown in. A new favourite came upon hearing For Island Fires and Family. I couldn’t get the memory of the song out of my head for weeks.

Along with the music, the graphics and video footage playing behind the band throughout Dermot’s set added a visually engaging element to the show. When you have a performer who isn’t moving around the stage all the time, it opens the door to having an added element of visual storytelling; birds, water, mountains, faces. The imagery lent itself beautifully to the lyrics of the songs and kept you engaged throughout multiple senses. Truly a wonderful show.

We took our makeup off in the theatre bathroom before starting our long, foggy drive back to Ottawa, since we both had to work the next morning. The whole adventure was an evening I will not forget (if you know, you know!).

Three days after the release of their latest EP, In Your Heart, I saw The Franklin Electric play to a packed room in a dingy downtown bar for the first time. Now, that may sound unappealing, but honestly I was thrilled.

The Franklin Electric was a band I’d heard of in passing for years, never paying too much attention to their tours or releases. When a friend mentioned they wanted to go to their Ottawa date at one of my favourite smaller venues, it didn’t take much convincing for me to be tagging along. Very happy I did.

I’d listened to their discography on Spotify for a few days prior, but was still happily surprised by how much I enjoyed the show, how lovely they sounded live, and how personal Jon Matte wanted to make the experience. He stopped for quick Q&A sessions two or three times between songs, intimately played sans mic while standing on the bar, and appeared genuinely happy and impressed we’d all braved a snowstorm to be there.

Now, I’ve always been a sucker for a boy with a guitar, but I loved every second they played. Some take away favourites were Ghost, I’ve Been Here Before, and Strongest Man Alive. The token acoustic song on the bar – In Your Heart – was also stunning, and I really regret not taking my phone out to record. My favourite song in their repertoire, I’ve Been Here Before, was also a highlight for me.

All that to say, concert #2 of 2020 was another hit. And less than a week later, I was off to Montreal for another one…

Nearly an entire month into the new year – January 31st – I saw Half Moon Run and Taylor Janzen at TD Place in Ottawa. I’ve seen HMR numerous times, the first being in either 2010 or 2011 opening for Of Monsters and Men at Virgin Festival in Montreal. It was pouring rain, and I instantly loved their music.

Since then, I’ve seen them in small venues, opening for bands, at outdoor festivals, and even a secret show. This was their first sold out stadium tour, and I kept marvelling at how this band that I’d been seeing at a small scale and following for years had seemingly suddenly become a big name act. It was lovely to see this groups of men get the recognition I personally think they’ve always deserved.

Winnipeg artist Taylor Janzen opened the night, an artist I hadn’t heard before. I immediately loved the tone of her voice, and the joking, fun relationship she had with her band, introducing each member along with a small joke about them. She played a few not yet released songs, that I’m now eagerly awaiting so I can add them to my most played playlist.

Half Moon Run took the stage shortly after, and had the crowd singing along to nearly every song. Still baffled at the size of the crowd, I enjoyed every second of their set. They’ve always had a really fun stage charisma – dancing around with their instruments and engaging with the crowd in unique ways. A good mix of older songs as well as songs from their newly released album played out the night, with a lot of fog and lights to accompany. Most notably, there was actually a symphony of strings featured on stage with them. I’ve always been a sucker for strings.

Not surprisingly, I left that night on a total high. It’d been over a month since I’d been to show – something that always makes me a bit testy – and I’d been completely enthralled by one of my favourite bands. No doubt in my mind that come the next tour cycle, I’ll be in the ever growing crowd, happily singing along and remembering the first time I heard them play.

Jan 12 – Panic! at the Disco, Two Feet, Betty Who

Jan 29 – Matt Holubowski, Dan Mangan

Feb 9 – Dear Rouge

March 7 – Said the Whale, Mother Mother

April 4 – Basement Revolver, Ellevator

April 18 – Dizzy, Tokyo Police Club

May 21 – Shaydid

June 14 – Stars

June 20 – Death Cab For Cutie

June 30 – Said the Whale

July 7 – The Killers

July 9 – Lennon Stella, Bearings

July 12 – The Offspring, Alexisonfire

July 13 – The Beaches, Hollerado

July 14 – Backstreet Boys

August 13 – Closetalker

September 13 – Dear Rouge, LIVE, Our Lady Peace

September 14 – Tim Baker

October 5 – Certainty, Anyone Anywhere, Pine, Subtle Curves

October 31 – Jordan Klassen

November 22 – Charly Bliss, Hollerado

November 23 – Dan Mangan

December 7 – Loon Choir, Dave Monks, Said the Whale

December 13 – Cartel Madras, Little Junior, Hollerado

December 14 – Dave Monks, Said the Whale, Hollerado, Whitehorse, Stella Ella Ola, Luna li, PUP

Here are the top ten songs I saw performed live this past year, in no particular order:

1. The Eighteenth Hole – Tim Baker, City Folk Festival

2. It’s Alright – Mother, Mother, Algonquin Commons Theatre

3. Basket – Dan Mangan, Algonquin Commons Theatre

4. Lightning Crashes – Live, City Folk Festival

5. Dying in LA – Panic! At The Disco, Place Bell

6. Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints – Alexisonfire, RBC Bluesfest

7. Kids – Pup, Horseshoe Tavern

8. Transatlanticism – Death Cab For Cutie, RBC Echo Stage

9. Basket – Dan Mangan and NAC Orchestra, NAC

10. Juliette – Hollerado, Horseshoe Tavern

One night, two shows. That was the mission on December 14th, our last night in Toronto.

First up, we were seeing Dave Monks and Said The Whale again, on the final night of their Cascadia tour at The Phoenix. Having seen the tour in Ottawa exactly one week prior, we had already discussed that we would likely be ducking out early to head to venue two.

We saw Dave Monks’ full set – which I found myself enjoying even more this time around! Favourites from the set were Gasoline and Don’t Go Falling To Pieces. We then stayed for about half of Said The Whale’s set, eventually wiggling our way out of the crowd. I’ve only ever left a show early once before (Black Eyed Peas, which should need no explanation), and it felt like we were doing something sacrilegious. If we hadn’t seen the set the week prior, I honestly don’t think I could’ve made myself leave.

Over to the Horseshoe Tavern, where Hollerado was hosting an open mic night, featuring a handful of songs from themselves, a bunch of stories from over the years, and performances from many of their friends. Aside from the Hollerado performances, some stand out moments were Whitehorse, Little Junior, Stella Ella Ola, and Pup.

Also a first – two lovely Hollerado fans in attendance made hundreds of cookies that were passed around the crowd. They were delicious.

Once the performances were all over, Hollerado came back on stage to close out the night. Ending with Juliette, the song that started it all, a few tears were shed on the stage as the crowd sang the lyrics back wholeheartedly. When the song ended and the crowd cheered for one more song, Menno explained that no cover or additional song would make saying goodbye any easier. And with that, Hollerado truly played their last song before retirement.

They did hint at an annual charity open mic, where they would make an appearance, so I do have high hopes that I’ll be seeing them again, happily dancing along.

Until then, thirteen years later, Hollerado has called it a day and ridden off into the sunset.

A little over a month ago, I wrote about Hollerado’s final hometown show. While that show was certainly amazing, their final show (a sold out, headlining night at The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto) was truly something else.

Hollerado has been a part of my life for roughly ten years, and they’ve been a band for thirteen. Since moving to Ottawa eight years ago, I’ve been to so many of their shows; free outdoor concerts, headlining shows, one random show at City Hall. I’ve always gone to their shows without hesitation, so when I heard their last show ever was a Friday night in Toronto, we immediately bought tickets and started planning months in advance.

We ate dinner at a little restaurant right beside the venue, where the band also happened to be (they’ve got to eat too!). Menno came our way at one point, and stopped for a quick conversation. It was a great reminder of how down to earth and humble the band is. From there, I scarfed what was left of my fries and martini and booked it to the venue to get my hands on the one-night-only merch.

Hollerado had two openers that night: Cartel Madras (hip-hop/rap recently signed to the label from Calgary) and Little Junior (also label mates, from Toronto). I won’t pretend Cartel Madras is music I would typically gravitate to, but nevertheless by the end of their set I was happily bobbing along and enjoying myself.

Little Junior was a band I’d heard about in passing, but hadn’t yet really listened to or seen live. Surprise, surprise – I’ve been missing out! Wearing RIP Hollerado shirts, the band played a handful of their songs, and I’ve been listening to Crooked Tooth near daily ever since. Great energy, catchy lyrics, and a strange sense of high school nostalgia mixed together for an enjoyable set.

Then it was Hollerado’s turn. You could feel the love and anticipation in the room – everyone had been waiting for this show for months (the tickets had sold out within minutes), and we were all ready to dance and sing one last time. I smiled the entire time, and spent a few minutes just standing and taking in the crowded room full of people singing along and the band having a visibly great time up on stage. They told us stories of touring over the years, they thanked us over and over. They gave us two encores (one of which was done without any mics, as the venue shut them off). A man in a chicken suit played the guitar lead of Juliette. Even writing about it now, three weeks after the show, I have goosebumps and a huge smile on my face. I was so happy, and so thankful, to have been apart of their farewell.

As the boys waved goodbye to the crowd and took their final bow, visibly emotional, I expected to feel some sort of sadness or finality. One of my favourite bands was no more. Instead, I just felt insanely happy to have known their music, met some wonderful people at their shows, and to walk away with memories of an amazing night.

Plus, I still had one more chance to say goodbye.. Part two of the retirement weekend, coming soon.

On my 25th birthday, I got the ultimate present. I was able to go to a show, in my hometown, put on by one of my favourite artists.

I’m not new to Said the Whale shows. I just tried to count how many of their shows I’ve been to, and truthfully I’ve lost count. This was my third time seeing them this year alone (and as I type this, I’m en route to Toronto to catch another one of their shows tomorrow night). Like many shows before, I left feeling lighter than air. There’s something about their music and the way they genuinely interact with fans from the stage that’s so enjoyable to watch. Couple that with hitting my quarter century milestone, and being a long time fan, and it was a perfect evening. They’re not a hard band to support, especially when they take the time to highlight a local artist on their roll through town.

I was treated to a performance by Loon Choir, one of two opening acts on Said the Whale’s stop on Ottawa. When eight people roll up on stage – one with a fiddle in hand – you know you’re in for a treat. Their music was not what I was expecting, to say the least. Poignant lyrics in their first song pointed to always being polite, and cordial, and doing what you’re told. The medley of instruments coming together was a real treat. The most memorable song for me was ‘Shipping Lanes,’ which I’ve added to my current music rotation.

“You put it in a vase, put it in a vase, put it in a vase, and expect it to grow”

Loon Choir

As someone who’s always more than happy to discover some new music, I’m happy to say I’ll be attending their next show in early 2020. I’m deadly curious as to how an eight piece band will manage to fit into a tiny local bar. Stay tuned..

Also opening for Said the Whale throughout the tour was Dave Monks, likely most known as the lead singer of Tokyo Police Club. Where TPC is upbeat, dancey, and begs a good sing along, Monk’s solo work is acoustic with a strong lead electric guitar accompanying him. The songs are easy listening, and the band clearly enjoys playing together. Laughing and joking at their merch table after the show, it’s clear that authentic band ‘vibe’ is a part of their dynamic. Monk’s will be rolling through Ottawa in the new year, both as a solo act and with TPC.

I have one more run of shows in 2019, up in Toronto. Three shows, two days: can we do it?

Classical music has always given me goosebumps. I’ve been fascinated by how, even without words, a story can be conveyed through the combined instruments.

This past Saturday, I was lucky enough to attend an absolutely stunning show where my love of orchestral arrangements and sentimental lyrics combined. Dan Mangan, and Vancouver singer songwriter, performed with the NAC orchestra, and filled the space with his beautiful music reimagined by a 45 piece band.

During the songs, the audience was captivated, fully immersed in the enveloping sounds. In between songs there was no shortage of claps and cheers, prompting two encores by the end of the evening. Dan himself seemed to Elbe in awe of the sound and the audience response, noting numerous times throughout the evening how privileged he felt to be performing a set like this, and jokingly asking if the orchestra would fit in his tour bus.

As Basket progressed in its crescendo style, you could feel the change in the room. Already quiet, there was now a complete silence; it almost seemed no one dared breathe. More than a few could be seen wiping away tears – myself shamelessly included. A song I already loved dearly became something entirely new and even more heartfelt as strings accompanied Dan’s lyrics right as the first ‘act’ came to a close.

“Just a basket full of memories and I am losing more each day it seems..“

Dan Mangan

A highlight of the evening for me was hearing Basket. The song reminds me of how precious time is, how precious love is, how precious memories are. Memories are something I try very hard to catalogue (note this blog, and my endless highlights of concert footage on Instagram). I have a deep fear of losing my memories, and the lyrics of Basket capture that beautifully.

I’m so thankful I was able to experience such a mesmerizing show, and look forward to seeing Dan the next time he and his (smaller) band come rolling through the city. Until then, I’ll be listening to the sneaky recording from the night of the show…