Concert Review: Thunderheist at the Montreal Jazz Festival

This ain't your daddy's Jazz Festival.
Out of all the midnight shows I saw at the Festival, Thunderheist was the most entertaining. The Canadian duo's homecoming marked the end of their North American tour, and their tour-tested set completely rocked Montreal's Club Soda last Saturday.


Performance-wise, the group was on point. As I have said before, Isis is the frontwoman of the future, and she was able to shine at the 800 plus person venue. I have to say again that the edition of The Carps' Jamal Tonge and live synths have propelled their performance to new levels. Show wise, nothing changed from the time I saw them in DC, but unfortunately their short set was a tad more evident at the larger space.
Even if Isis is a killer MC (don't even front, she can spit rhymes), it's their newer, pop/dance tracks that will set this group apart. As a producer, Graham is able to switch up his sounds flawlessly, while still maintaining that club appeal, and the new songs seem ready made for radio.

The best moment of the show was their trademark "audience getting on stage" moment during "Jerk It," which seems to be a band trademark. Unfortunately security didn't get the memo, and the worry and concern on their faces during the few minutes the audience were on stage was priceless.
All in all, it was a great show, topped by Graham DJing the venue until close. The second highlight of the night had to be when he left yours truly behind the Serato decks for a tense few minutes. I will put on my resume that I've "DJed" one of the biggest clubs in Montreal.

All in all, it was a great (albit short) show, and I'm glad I got to see Thunderhiest on their stomping grounds. Again, as I always say, if they are ever in your town, don't hesitate to be in the building.