The East Coast is known for its legendary Kitchen Parties. That was the sort of energy Joel Plaskett brought to Toronto on December 3rd. A Living Room party packed into a tiny trailer, touring Canada with his latest release, One Real Reveal. A comfy, red upholstered lounge chair sat in the middle of the stage with an acoustic guitar upon it. Nestled between two end tables with assorted curios and two large screens adorned with what appeared to be Grandma’s curtains, resembling the windows of this assumed living room.
During this evening’s performance, Joel would spin yarns about fond and touching memories of his life as a touring musician. Projecting a slide show portraying some of the antics he shared with his travel mates as well as the unique places they visited. Canada is a vast country and many of us never get the opportunity to explore it’s nooks and crannies the way a touring musician has. The slides depicted Peter Elkas and Joel running through Saskatchewan playing small towns along the way. Images of Mo Kenney looking like an old timey bank robber on the lam in Dawson City. Tales of touring with Sloan, running out of gas and being stranded in the middle of nowhere. The kind of things we fans are unaware of as our heroes weave their way between our towns and cities.
I’ve been watching Joel since his original band Thrush Hermit was ripping up the scene in the early ‘90’s. It’s always a pleasure seeing him live whether it’s rocking out to Thrush Hermit, The Joel Plaskett Emergency or having a more casual solo acoustic experience like this evening. All of the incarnations I just mentioned were exhibited in the retrospective, career spanning setlist tonight. He has an uncanny way of making the most obvious rhymes that you could never think of on your own. There is a particular brand of wry wit that our most favourite Canadian musicians are able to convey through song and stories. Joel is a master of this type of performance. Engaging the crowd, making us feel like old friends hanging out in an intimate setting while he shares his passions and pains, encouraging us to sing along in support and be part of the experience.
A particularly poignant portion of the show was dedicated to the life and memory of Matthew Grimson, a mythical songwriting legend from Halifax. He was an inspiration to many of the local poets and musicians. In a way that is so natural for Joel, he told us heartbreaking and heartwarming anecdotes all with a smile on his face and a tear in his eye. It was an emotional moment but felt like a big, warm hug. I was grateful for learning about Matthew and his contributions to some of my favourite artists.
With a full heart and a full head I wandered out of the show feeling light and breezy. Humming Love This Town to myself and imagining what shenanigans Joel and his crew would get up to as they navigate the winding roads and potential detours of a cross Canada tour. Dreaming about my next encounter with this magical troubadour and his band of merry men.
Connect with Joel Plaskett: Website || Twitter/X || Facebook || Instagram
Be sure to check out Collective Concerts to see what other great acts they will be bringing to Toronto this year.
