A fun feature of the endless nostalgia cycle is watching a new generation reinterpret the music of another's youth to meet their own ends (and inevitably watching that older generation become apoplectic about it). Softcult are one of Canada's best examples of this phenomenon; filtering dream pop and shoegaze through a riotgrrrl lens, the duo have released a trio of powerful — and catchy — EPs to increasing critical acclaim. Capping off their first headline tour of North America has given the band the chance to take their message to a fast-growing fanbase.
Friday night was the first time the Kitchener-Waterloo pair had returned to the scene of their first ever live performance. Just a year ago, on the Drake Underground stage, they were still figuring out how to put all the pieces of their sound and aesthetic together. Now, they're a fully formed unit, transitioning seamlessly between songs as singer-guitarist Mercedes Arn-Horn and her sister, drummer Phoenix, traded verses. Black and white news footage played on an endless stream projected behind them, alluding to the clear-eyed political bent of their music.
"Spit it Out" and "Take it Off" were early highlights, with Mercedes singing to the back of the relatively small (but very sold out) room. Though she and Phoenix are Softcult's creative driving force, guitarist Brent McSwiggan and bass player Phil Hurst showcased their important onstage contributions, as both filled in the backing harmonies while McSwiggan added a lot of sonic texture with his guitar playing.
Softcult songs are heavy, both in their riffs and subject matter: sexism, gaslighting and incel culture are just a few of the topics they covered on this night. Sometimes the band chose a lighter touch when introducing a number: "This is a song about being depressed and not wanting to get out of bed. Who can't relate?" quipped Mercedes at one point.
Other times, Mercedes took the time to dive in, relaying the tragic story of Sara Everard, a woman who was raped and murdered by a police officer in the UK, condemning those who abuse power and the people who make excuses for them. "That shit needs to stop!" she said, before the snarling opening riff of "Boys Will be Boys" took over. The contrast between the two tones could be a tad jarring at times, but both sentiments were deeply felt. It's all part of what Mercedes later described as "the movement that we're starting."
After a brief break in the set, the band returned for a two song encore. "Dress" was first, with Mercedes shouting out Toronto alt-rock power poppers PONY, who had both opened a number of dates on Softcult's current tour and were in the "Dress" video, before ending the night with "One in a Million." "It doesn't matter where you come from," said Mercedes in her parting words to the crowd, "Live your life and be happy."
Friday night was the first time the Kitchener-Waterloo pair had returned to the scene of their first ever live performance. Just a year ago, on the Drake Underground stage, they were still figuring out how to put all the pieces of their sound and aesthetic together. Now, they're a fully formed unit, transitioning seamlessly between songs as singer-guitarist Mercedes Arn-Horn and her sister, drummer Phoenix, traded verses. Black and white news footage played on an endless stream projected behind them, alluding to the clear-eyed political bent of their music.
"Spit it Out" and "Take it Off" were early highlights, with Mercedes singing to the back of the relatively small (but very sold out) room. Though she and Phoenix are Softcult's creative driving force, guitarist Brent McSwiggan and bass player Phil Hurst showcased their important onstage contributions, as both filled in the backing harmonies while McSwiggan added a lot of sonic texture with his guitar playing.
Softcult songs are heavy, both in their riffs and subject matter: sexism, gaslighting and incel culture are just a few of the topics they covered on this night. Sometimes the band chose a lighter touch when introducing a number: "This is a song about being depressed and not wanting to get out of bed. Who can't relate?" quipped Mercedes at one point.
Other times, Mercedes took the time to dive in, relaying the tragic story of Sara Everard, a woman who was raped and murdered by a police officer in the UK, condemning those who abuse power and the people who make excuses for them. "That shit needs to stop!" she said, before the snarling opening riff of "Boys Will be Boys" took over. The contrast between the two tones could be a tad jarring at times, but both sentiments were deeply felt. It's all part of what Mercedes later described as "the movement that we're starting."
After a brief break in the set, the band returned for a two song encore. "Dress" was first, with Mercedes shouting out Toronto alt-rock power poppers PONY, who had both opened a number of dates on Softcult's current tour and were in the "Dress" video, before ending the night with "One in a Million." "It doesn't matter where you come from," said Mercedes in her parting words to the crowd, "Live your life and be happy."
