Oh Toronto. I love you, but you got this one wrong. Look – I get it. Labour Day weekend is a busy one. There are things to do, other places to be (I’m looking at you, Montreal and your Arcade Fire show,) ice cream sandwiches to be lining up for, and general getting-ready-for-back-to-school errands to be had. But the next time Thumpers come to Toronto, please make time for this show.
The English duo (touring as a four-piece) made their Canadian debut on Sunday night at The Garrison. While the audience turnout was unequivocally underwhelming, the band itself put on a show of brute, energetic pop-force.
Touring 2014 debut Galore, percussionist John Hamson Jr. (formerly Noah and the Whale’s drummer and a touring member of Friendly Fires) and guitarist Marcus Pepperell make music to match the band’s name. That is to say: it’s Hamson’s percussion that edges the band into the need-to-see column of the live music scale.
Hamson was hypnotizing to watch – particularly in his zealousness with a bass drum, propelling much of the Galore material forward. Even when things were slightly off in terms of timing (as was the case on “Sound of Screams”) it all seemed to come together thanks to the heft of his work behind the kit.
Hamson was also the one to handle the banter, stating early on: “Thanks for not going to the fucking air show” and later calling out a few seated people off to the side – not for the fact that they were seated but for the fact that the height of The Garrison’s benches make you feel like a Hobbit, your legs dangling precariously no matter your height.
Middle Earth references aside, another nice touch came with the guy-girl vocal duties shared between Pepperell and keyboardist Frances Lea, particularly notable on “Tame” which felt quite tUnE-yArDs like in its compositions thanks to its overlapping harmonies and rhythmic layering. A cover of Flume feat. Chet Faker’s “Drop The Game” was also a showcase of their vocal abilities with both Pepperell and Lea getting their time in the spotlight. Pepperell doesn’t seem entirely sure of himself as a front man quite yet (although he did manage to navigate his rapid-fire lyrics with relative ease) – but that’s something that will hopefully and inevitably come with time and a few more tour dates.
Hamson ended the show by thanking the 25-or-so people in attendance, explaining that it was their first time in Toronto and as such: “The fact that there are even two people here… it means a lot.” Thumpers then ended with the unbelievably hooky “Unkinder (A Tougher Love)” – a song you should get familiar with immediately because I’ve had it on repeat all summer and I’m still miraculously enjoying it.
And like that one single, the rest of Thumpers’ music bends toward the upbeat, catchy, and agreeable. It’s the type that will quickly find favour with fans of Chvrches or Two Door Cinema Club. It’s not a question of if it will – just when. Hopefully the answer to that is: before Thumpers make their second Toronto showing. They deserve it.
