New Zealand duo Balu Brigada continued to ride the wave of success from their debut album Portal at the Fairmount Theater last night, in front of a packed house for their first headlining concert in Montreal.
There were no merchandise for sale, no visual accompaniment projected in the background, only a strange angular structure that could pass for a fireplace that the theater decided to install. Balu Brigada wasn’t there to sell their aesthetic, but rather to let the music and their personalities speak for themselves.
During the concert, the two members of the group, brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley, exchanged a total of four different guitars in turn. The duo also shares the mic, with some songs highlighting one or the other brother, but each providing a strong vocal performance. Their voices, with their fairly classic indie-rock timbres, are however practically inseparable from their studio recordings.
Both members of the group exude a certain rockstar air, intensified by their ability to “shred” their guitars, which they often raise above their heads. They do not hesitate to climb on the speakers at the front of the stage to add to the dramatic effect of this routine.
A contagious good mood
Table of Contents
The atmosphere that Balu Brigada brings is undeniably joyful, even playful. The two singers tug at each other with their guitars in hand, constantly make humorous comments and know how to interact with the audience. Henry even gets off the stage to Could You Notplayed as an encore, and fits into the crowd for a good time. At one point, Pierre hangs his microphone stand on the ceiling rails to hear the crowd singing along.
Even the softer songs, like 4 : 25 or Butterfly Boyare accompanied by an enthusiastic audience, who clap their hands to follow the rhythm. The pink heart-shaped sunglasses that Henry wears at the start of the concert set the tone for the atmosphere present throughout the show: all worries seem to dissipate during the concert.
The concert program offered a nice variety and although the majority of songs were taken from Portala good balance reigned between the group’s older and more recent titles. A resumption ofOblivion by Grimes revisited to emphasize the duo’s guitar prowess was a nice surprise that enhanced the whole thing.
The breaks that the Beasleys have to take to tune their numerous guitars, instead of breaking the rhythm of the concert, become an opportunity for them to joke with the audience and release the few sentences in French that they have prepared.
However, it wasn’t just the audience that was pampered last night, Balu Brigada also expressed his appreciation for the Montreal crowd on several occasions. “It’s probably my favorite crowd of the whole tour,” Pierre revealed. As for playing to a sold-out crowd, one of them said they’re not sure they can pull off the same thing in their hometown of Auckland.
After more than 12 years of creating music, Portal is the group’s very first album and seems to have been eagerly awaited. Judging by the receptiveness of the public last night, the duo was able to satisfy fans’ expectations hands down.
First part shortened
The Argentine rock group Pacifica, which was to accompany Balu Brigada for a good part of the dates of this North American tour, was not present last night. The group explained on social media that it would have to cancel its first five performances due to delays in receiving necessary visas.
So, last night, it was only Harper Finn who warmed up the room before the main act arrived. Also of New Zealand origin, the latter is also responsible for the synthesizer and on-stage mixing for Balu Brigada.
Although he is more discreet when he accompanies the duo, his solo performance is quite captivating. Harper Finn confidently sings pop ballads which he accompanies with almost interpretive jerky movements, when he is not holding his guitar in his hands. His new album, Silo Parkwill be released on October 31.
Bulk photos
Balu Brigade
Harper Finn
