04 March 2015 (gig)
20 March 2015
Canadians We Are the City chose to play their debut UK concert in the rarefied surroundings of the St Pancras Old Church in North London. It’s a lovely venue, slightly of the beaten track which could be a descriptor for the music.
A low key set up with the three-piece clapping an intro leads into a droning, dislocating piece of music that is jarring to say the least. It’s not unpleasant, though for a while you do wonder if there’s something of the emperor’s new clothes about this lot. There isn’t and after a bit it starts to grow on you and the seemingly disparate electronica, drums and guitar come together, and it starts to make sense.
Keyboard player Cayne McKenzie has a good solid voice, drummer Andy Huculiak isn't quite so good and maybe should consider retiring from that duty. He does however have a pivotal place in the group: there’s at times a repetitive groove led by his drumming though tonight its so far forward in the mix that they almost smothers everything else.. There’s not a lot of space but lively guitarist Dave Menzel makes good use of it nary missing a beat.
In the end it’s a short, challenging set that’s well received by an enthusiastic, possibly confused, crowd.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Huculiak.
