Canadian psych-pop sensation Michael Rault faced some adversity in the early going of his set after snapping a guitar string only two songs in. Having made the trip up from Toronto without a backup axe, the crowd patiently watched Rault run through a few other quick numbers while his guitarist covered the role of guitar tech. Not letting the momentum slip free from their grasp, the Toronto-based songwriter and his backing band recovered well in treating the audience to a set dominated by cuts from their forthcoming LP Living Daylight.
Rault's varied songwriting was a strength in the live performance, jumping from the sweetness of "I Wanna Love You" to fuzzed-out slacker anthem "Suckcess." The man's careful attention to melody was only highlighted by excellent vocal harmonies from his bandmates. As he's a talented guitarist in his own right, it was unfortunate that Rault's furious blues-rooted leads were largely buried by the playing of his bandmates, which forced him to drop some moments of soloing in an effort to boost his volume levels. Gear issues aside, it was an enjoyable preview at what is shaping up to be a promising full-length.
Rault's varied songwriting was a strength in the live performance, jumping from the sweetness of "I Wanna Love You" to fuzzed-out slacker anthem "Suckcess." The man's careful attention to melody was only highlighted by excellent vocal harmonies from his bandmates. As he's a talented guitarist in his own right, it was unfortunate that Rault's furious blues-rooted leads were largely buried by the playing of his bandmates, which forced him to drop some moments of soloing in an effort to boost his volume levels. Gear issues aside, it was an enjoyable preview at what is shaping up to be a promising full-length.