Junior Boys + Miracle Fortress – La Sala Rossa – 11.06.11

Van Pelt opens to an ever-increasing audience at Sala on a rainy summer night, and is cheered on by a powerful fuel known as local love.  French and English Montreal hipsters crowd together and cheer that, “Miracle Fortress guy, you know, of Think About Life?” (quoting verbatim from anonymous crowd member), because, “he rules” (quoting is fun).  Van Pelt transitions through what seems like a carefully choreographed set, evolving the songs live in front of you, piece by piece, only to collide it all together into the occasional dance jam.  Van Pelt and his drummer managed to produce an impressively full sound for a two-piece act.  Highlights of the set vary, but are steady and sure as the crowd participates in a “happy to have you” relationship with a “happy to be here” act.  I will say this – seems real lovely to hear “Beach Baby” live.

Headlining is Canadian Indie-Electro-Pop group Junior Boys.  At this point Sala is packed to capacity, in its all sold-out show glory.  Not surprising, as this is an act that has been around for some time now (yes, existing since 1999 now counts as being around for some time), and as Miracle Fortress’s Van Pelt will have previously pointed out, such a performance promised to be, “pretty sweet.”  The set begins low on vocals and heavy in reverberation, but this is quickly rectified.  Having recently released 2011’s It’s All True, the boys are taking their songs on tour and running into the occasional technical difficulty, but these pauses are appreciated as they demonstrate the band’s desire to “do it right,” if you will.  The crowd is pleased to hear 2009’s “Parallel Lines” even if vocalist Jeremy Greenspan offers it indifferently, and with awkward dance moves at that.  With its pulsating beats, the crowd nostalgically cheers on to various late-night memories, no doubt, as Greenspan croons, “no lights, no show, no sex.”  There is dancing taking place certainly, but less frantic than your average electro show.  In fact, I choose this show to coin the term, “cerebral dance party.”  Cool, thanks.  Greenspan warns the audience of sexual loop holes in 2006’s, “Count Souvenirs” and preaches in 2009’s, “Bits and Pieces.”  Arriving to present day, Greenspan will draw the audience in by slowing the entire set down with brand new single, “The Reservoir.”  A cheesy show for some, and a sentimental one for others – such are the fine lines of indie-electro-pop groups.

– Sruti I

Junior Boys

Miracle Fortress

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Photography by Amelia Robitaille

Tags: 2011, Amelia Robitaille, Blue Skies Turn Black, Concert, Graham Van Pelt, It's All True, Jeremy Greenspan, Junior Boys, La Sala Rossa, Meet You At The Show, Miracle Fortress, Montreal, MYATS, Review, Sruti, Sruti I, Think About Life, Was I The Wave?