Concert Reviews

At FIMAV, Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield Welcomed the Melt
Carré 150, May 19
PUBLISHED May 21, 2024
Trumpeter Nate Wooley's Columbia Icefield project began in 2019, when he assembled a group of musicians to help interpret his compositions...
Joëlle Léandre, Mat Maneri and Craig Taborn Were a Force at FIMAV
Carré 150, May 18
PUBLISHED May 21, 2024
There are a couple of clear ways to impress in the world of improvised music, especially in the context of a festival where a large portion...
The Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet Brought Total Unity to FIMAV
Centre des Congrès, May 18
PUBLISHED May 21, 2024
Saturday's schedule at FIMAV leaned toward an extensive suite of improvised musical forms. At the hinge point of the day came the Bill Orcu...
Splendide Abysse Made a Big Splash at FIMAV
Carré 150, May 17
PUBLISHED May 20, 2024
On a day that saw splashy and attention-grabbing shows by international veterans like Joshua Abrams's Natural Information Society from Chic...
Laura Jane Grace Brought Sweat and Energy to Ottawa
Brass Monkey, May 18
PUBLISHED May 20, 2024
After playing the 1,000-person capacity Bronson Centre in 2022, Laura Jane Grace returned to the nation's capital for an intimate performan...
Pascal Germain-Berardi's 'Basileus' Opened FIMAV 2024 with a Bang
Le Carré 150, May 16
PUBLISHED May 17, 2024
Taking over as artistic director of a major festival is a daunting task, but Scott Thomson has the extra pressure of tackling the 40th edit...
Alix Fernz Was a Wayward Star in Montreal
Bar Pow Pow, May 16
PUBLISHED May 17, 2024
As we piled up the stairs into the Pow Pow Club to join the album release party of Alix Fernz, one of the newer Mothland label phenomenons...
Julia Holter Took Her Music to New Heights in Toronto
Great Hall, May 13
PUBLISHED May 14, 2024
Julia Holter's music is known for its careful intellectualism, a body of work that sometimes requires an open tab or two. Her Monday night...