While I’ve heard OF Wintersleep, I hadn’t actually HEARD them until they came last week to the Commodore Ballroom in support of their latest album, “In the Land Of”.
Openers Partner got on stage a little behind schedule. But once again, I’m pleasantly surprised by yet another excellent opener at this venue.
Duo Josee Caron and Lucy Niles may look like a couple of kids having fun with instruments but they are anything but. The pop-punk sound combined with quirky and hilarious lyrics (see The “Ellen” Page) is infectious and immediately likeable. As if that wasn’t great enough, they rounded out their brief set of brief songs with an excellent cover of “Limelight” by Rush. Many in the crowd simply weren’t expecting that and responded with huge cheers.
Wintersleep took the stage well after 10pm but the anxious crowd didn’t seem to mind. They opened with “Surrender” from the new LP and honestly it is much more powerful live than the recording. This would be the theme for the night.
With a few thank yous they kept going and seemed to change the pace with each song, the next being the wistful “Into the Shape of Your Heart”. Every member of the band was committed 110 percent and the sound mix was impeccable, both highlighting the vocals of Paul Murphy and a driving mix of rhythm delivered in lockstep by the rest. Guitarist Tim D’eon lead the way on “Soft Focus” with a sound that hearkened back to to the likes of Tragically Hip and REM.
There was very little banter and it was like the band was on a mission to deliver each song quickly and deftly. The fans broke out of their hypnosis to sing along to “Weighty Ghost” which was truly the highlight of the evening with the east coast sound front and centre.
It’s easy to see why this band is growing a solid fanbase organically; the music and lyrics are delivered with passion in every note. With time and artistic risk they could inhabit a spot vacated by the Tragically Hip. Much like their live performances, it’s steady as she goes.
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written by Scotty Evil
photos by Red Lenses Photography
