Photographs by Maya Setton.
Alvvays played two sold out shows at the Horseshoe Tavern in a row: A testament to how well their hometown of Toronto is receiving their debut self titled album. With such a following near the beginning of their careers, Alvvays had to make sure that these shows went well. I cannot speak on behalf of the first date, but I caught them on their second set and can imagine a similar result.
Kiwi came on at quarter to ten with just himself and his rickenbacker guitar. He announced that his band was named Kiwi, yet no one else ever joined him. He had a bit of a shtick going on where he would make awkward jokes that ranged from bizarre song titles and themes (he sang about his confusion with Canada Day and his fear of subways) to emptying his gear bag on stage. When he sang and played, he sounded like a mixture of Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, and Belle and Sebastian: All three of these are cheeky in their own rights. There was something endearing with his music, where he was talented enough to get away with his silliness. He could have been the one man show that bombed, but Kiwi, instead, enthralled us all.
Unlike the “band” named Kiwi, J Fernandez, billed as a solo artist, came out with an entire band to help him out. Their performance at the Horseshoe Tavern was their very first Canadian date yet, and they wanted to make it count. With very little banter, the band was focused on playing and channeled their energy into their respective instruments. Their sound felt like a throwback as well, as they channeled early garage bands through both style and substance. Both J Fernandez and Kiwi were great openers for Alvvays, because they united all of the nostalgic ways bands can remark on the days of music’s past, with Kiwi representing the neat, upright pop ways of conventional music and J Fernandez was the oncoming wave of rock n’ roll.
Alvvays are then the fully realized pop rock group that may have been in the minds of musicians looking forwards back in the 60’s. Their combination of harmonized vocals, surf rock guitars, jiving bass and rolling drums reflect on so many token elements from the dawn of contemporary music. Their set was laced with dotted lights and the signature golden backdrop at the Horseshoe Tavern. Mixed with the music, their set was like a Brian De Palma musical moment come to life, where the homage is present, the modernity is vibrant and the fun is contagious. They played the majority of their debut album, which is packed with songs that are instantly ready to be performed live. With the song that may have jump started their career, Adult Diversion, being played as the second song and their newest single, Archie Marry Me, being saved for the very end, it’s clear that Alvvays are already making a huge impact within the music world.
They have yet to realize this. Singer Molly Rankin commented on how this reception was too much for their “small minds”. The entire night, the band tried to keep straight faces, yet they broke the widest of smiles constantly. It was clear that this was monumental for them. I have no idea why, because, while still young in their careers, they have a fantastic understanding of how to put on a good show (one of my favorites of the year so far, in fact). Everyone hopped around, truly felt the music they were emitting and sent their energy to us. Some songs were introduced with fun banter, including Rankin talking about the bands’ landlords being able to make it to the show. Other songs would just leak into the next song effortlessly.
It felt like a dream, where my perception of how shows in the 60’s were like is distorted by my hectic imagination. However, this was a reality, and a blissful one at that. With a great debut and now a wonderful set that blew me away, I don’t feel that Alvvays are up-and-comers anymore. I feel, truly, that they have made it, and all of us have yet to catch up. When we do, and the band is larger (mark my words), I cannot imagine what they will have in store once they fully realize their capabilities.
Thanks to Collective Concerts for media access.
