While a sizeable share of the crowd at Yonge-Dundas Square may have been unfamiliar with East Coast transplants Alvvays (their self-titled debut will only be released on Polyvinyl next month), they were quickly won over by the group's infectious brand of C86-influenced, melancholy jangly pop. All breezy harmonies, reverb-drenched guitars and fuzzy bass lines, the Toronto co-ed quintet dashed through most of their upcoming full-length in a 30-minute set that featured one winning chorus after another, closing with the irresistible "Archie, Marry Me," which already sounds like the indie-pop summer classic it is destined to become. In retrospect, the NXNE schedulers knew what they were doing, as Alvvays' bouncy lovesick notes turned out to be the perfect soundtrack to usher in the summer on a warm, sunny Saturday evening.
Read our recent interview with Alvvays here.
Read our recent interview with Alvvays here.