Winnipeg band teases crowd with new songs
University of Guelph students got a pleasant ending to the first day of classes as Winnipeg-based band Royal Canoe played two sets on campus; one in the University Centre in the afternoon, and the other at The Brass Taps later that evening.
In between playing recent shows for Hamilton’s Supercrawl festival and several sets around southern Ontario, the indie band spit out tunes from their upcoming album, Something Got Lost Between Here and the Orbit. When Royal Canoe played at the University a year ago, they hinted that a new album was in the works, teasing the crowd with a few tracks they had been working on. This time, their new sounds were played to a hearty and receptive crowd.
Consisting of six members, the band filled the tiny stage to the brim. The unconventional stage props, such as the white orbs that lit up as the band members tapped them, enhanced the atmosphere of each song.
It’s normally a challenge to dance to math-rock music; the off-beats and inconsistent layering typical of the genre often makes it difficult to follow along and stay in sync. Royal Canoe, however, somehow makes it easily enjoyable. Their new songs were easy to follow along, and listeners found it easy to dance. The crowd had no trouble finding themselves in the music and the energy oozed across The Brass Taps. The hour-long set saw no lag in the energy of the crowd. Despite the unfamiliarity of most songs, the audience continued to dance and have a good time.
The band ended off their set with two older familiar songs, “Exodus of the Year” and “Bathtubs.” After listening to a whole set of new songs yet to be released, it was clear that Royal Canoe has advanced significantly in their musical capabilities. The band has pushed more boundaries and has created unexpected-yet-catchy tunes that the average listener can enjoy.