We left for Quebec City early, as Alex had several interviews on schedule before sound check time. Already, on the road, Jeff caught a call for an interview. It lasted a few minutes only, and though I was in the back of the car and couldn’t see his expression, I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was really happy and enthusiastic. About the interview, maybe, but about the whole day that was up ahead. The same vibe was coming from Alex, sitting in the passenger’s seat. There was no nervousness at all, which would have been pretty normal. After all, it would be the band’s first time at the Festival d’été de Québec, the biggest and oldest festival in Canada. Day after day, the band had been rehearsing in our church/studio/home, trying to figure out what the setlist would be. We were only allowed a 45-minute set, and I think that it was the biggest challenge. After the first draft of the setlist, in which they included “only the short versions of the songs we must play live”, they were well over the 60-minute mark. Then followed a puzzle of songs and their successions, to make sure everything would be as smooth and quick as possible. They got everything down to 45 minutes. Until they realized that such a setlist didn’t even allow them to say “hello” to the crowd at all, nor introduce any song, let alone talk with people. And there we went again! Some more changes! The final setlist that was decided was as follows:
– Satsuki Yami
– Empire of Sorrows
– Midnight’s Crashing
– Would You Believe
– A View From Within
– From the City to the Ocean
– Killing Another (a cover from The Cure the band started doing during their tour “Outside It’s America”)
And then, rehearsal time, fine tuning absolutely everything. You cannot imagine how much care is put in the slightest details with these guys! Even though there was a true pressure of finishing on time, the vibe was always cool, easy-going, but not taken lightly. Done in the middle of the church, at sunset time very often, the view was quite spectacular! It all ended with a toast between the band members, to what had happened between them during these rehearsals, and to everything that was to happen.
We reached Quebec City, and already, the lady who would do the first interview was already there, waiting for us. We quickly checked in, and as Alex started the interview, the others headed to Starbucks for a well needed coffee! The schedule was tight. There were only 20 minutes between every interview. The ones that had longer gaps needed us to move to the radio stations directly. And believe me, we made it tight, but on time, everywhere we went! We shared wonderful moments with every interview we did, and truly enjoyed ourselves. Though we could all have been stressed with the schedule, it all went smoothly, we took things as they came, and laughter was always at the rendez-vous!
And then came soundcheck time. Of the 3 bands playing on the Loto-Quebec stage that night, we were the last ones to sound check. That’s how it always goes – soundcheck order is opposed to stage appearance order. We were given 1 hour for sound check, but barely used 30 minutes. Everything sounded great, everyone could hear what they were playing. It’s always a huge relief when sound check goes well, you start with a positive for the show that is to come. And let’s be honest, the crowd that gathered behind the fence (the festival site wasn’t yet open to public) to cheer us up during the soundcheck made things that much better, too!
We then went backstage, in a little caravan only for us! The guys ate, got changed, talked about the show to come, about the people they couldn’t wait to see once more. Then everybody went their separate way, warming up for the show that was now only minutes away! Moose drummed on a towel placed on a coffee table, Miss Isabel and Alex did their singing exercices, while Ben, Jeff and Sef went outside jumping and kicking around. A quick word of encouragement all together, and there we went, it was time to get on stage!
And then it was show time. And it went fast, very fast! Too fast. The band was nowhere to be seen on stage yet, but as the announcer pronounced “Your Favorite Enemies”, you could hear a delirious crowd, excited and waiting for them. All over the place, t-shirts of the band were popping out. People taking days off, driving for hours in order to see us. The festival site was packed. The tension in the air was tangible, but had nothing to do with the thunderstorm alerts that took place that night.
The media pit was occupied by several people, but large enough that it would still be comfortable for us all to move around. Even there, you could see people were looking forward to the show. Some already knew the band, while others were shooting them for the first time. “I was so focused getting the shots, as they kept coming and coming, that I didn’t even pay attention to the songs they were playing”, a friend told me after the show. And I do understand the feeling! The guys are stage beasts, nothing less. They know how to fill up a stage, to make it alive, and to let the passion they live transcend to the crowd, making everything feel as one.
The show went well. Very well. I remember being in the pit, looking up at the guys on stage, unable to stop smiling. This was it. They had it. This show was their best one EVER. And you could feel how happy they were on stage, too. From accomplice looks between them all, Alex’s defying glare as he sang to us, going on the PA system more than once, and even crowd surfing once, Sef and Jeff shouting at one another while playing and laughing, Ben coming to the edge of the stage, a foot on the wedge, Sef’s hair flowing all over the place, Alex head banging with as much sweat as hair flowing around him, Jeff jumping everywhere, Ben’s indescribable facial expressions, Moose focused and steady on his drum, Jeff singing all the lyrics while smiling, Sef moving much more than he usually would, Miss Isabel’s confident playing, to the wink Alex gave me as he looked down briefly, as if to tell me “I’m having fun!”. Over time, these are all things I have learned to look for in concerts. I know if one’s missing, something’s not right. Ok, the wink was a first, but for the rest, they’re all things you’ll learn to recognize in their interactions on stage as you get to see them more and more often!
One of the best moments, though, the moment that made that show completely magical, was when the rain started pouring, gently yet steadily, as soon as the first notes of the song “From the City to the Ocean” had been played, as if heavens themselves were approving of everything that was going on that night, telling the band “way to go, never look back, you won’t ever find yourself alone”.
It’s with smiles brighter than stars that the band members got backstage after the show. But the night wasn’t yet over. Despite the very long day they already had, they had also organized a private after party at the Dagobert, where Alex would be the DJ. We got there at 11:45pm, and the party kick started at midnight, lasting well over 2:30am, and would have lasted some more wasn’t it of the curfew we had already gone over…! Mosh pit, crowd surfing, and crazy dance moves were at the rendez-vous with a playlist that was as diverse as there were people. It was a blast, that’s the least we can say! Something to do once more? Probably, yes! Until then, we will miss you, Quebec City!
Don’t forget, we will also be playing at the following events this summer! Make sure not to miss your chance to see the band live!
August 8th – Otakuthon @ Palais des congrès de Montréal
August 22nd – Rock Fest pour la Santé Mentale @ L’Épiphanie
August 27th – Festival de la Poutine @ Drummondville
– Stephanie
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