Nation of Language with Ducks Ltd at Lee’s Palace

For the last month, Nation of Language have been touring together through the States with Ducks Ltd opening for them, but Thursday night’s stop at Lee’s felt like a co-headlining tour. Lee’s packed up a little earlier than usual for fans of the local band’s homecoming show, and the band certainly rewarded them.

Blistering through their 45 min set, the band left it all on the floor, playing the majority of songs from their Get Bleak EP and last year’s stellar full length debut Modern Fiction. Closing with my personal favourite of theirs “Anhedonia” certainly capped things off nicely.

After 25 mins or so, Nation of Language walked on to the empty stage to Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” and I truly wasn’t sure what to expect, given their style of music doesn’t always translate well live (read: boring). As the set opened and singer Ian Richard Devaney began busting out some of his dance moves, things really picked up. The songs themselves translated just fine live, having a bit more punch than their recorded sound and it was accentuated by Devaney’s dance moves and vocals; Think Samuel T. Herring of Future Island’s dancing, but with the voice of Morrissey. The band noted partway through the set that Toronto was the last show they played before the pandemic hit (literally a day or two before they were sent back home) and it was good to be back. I have the feeling we’ll be seeing them back a lot sooner for their next visit.

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