Northcote

It became pretty apparent what a terrible idea it was to start a show at 8 p.m. as soon as Matt Goud (aka Northcote) walked on stage at the Danforth Music Hall. Standing before the Victoria-based singer-songwriter were only a handful of souls, most of which admitted to the folk rocker they had only heard of his band before, but not the music. Nevertheless, Goud and his backing three-piece took advantage of the situation by performing an energetic set that fully showcased his recently released self-titled LP. In between songs, Goud would crouch down by his guitar pedals, talking away from the mic and giving personal anecdotes about each song to the crowd. Speaking with listeners about his childhood in the prairies and how working at a casino to make ends meet inspired album cut "Walking Home in the Rain," it was clear Goud had the potential to be a captivating performer in the right setting. Hopefully he's booked at a more suitable locale next time he's in town.