On night one of Ottawa Bluesfest 2024, the organizers celebrated American independence with an all-Canadian lineup on the festival's main stage, featuring Kingston hazy up-and-comers Funeral Lakes, alt-country phenom Orville Peck and BC indie-pop headliners Mother Mother.
Making their festival debut 16 years ago on the same grounds, Tokyo Police Club took the 6:30 slot for their Farewell Tour. Drawing on their salad days when they were gracing Lollapalooza stages and shaking talk show host hands, the Newmarket, Ontario indie rockers opened with "Breakneck Speed" from 2010's Champ before transitioning into early material "Favourite Colour," "Nature of the Experiment" and "Be Good."
While asking the crowd how they were handling the heat, the skies opened over the band, unleashing heavy rains. This caused vocalist/bassist Dave Monks to quip, "Perfect timing," as they launched into "Box," belting out, "I feel like drowning." As high winds swept through, guitarist/keyboardist Graham Wright moved to the edge of the stage, letting the downpour soak his t-shirt. The quartet was then forced to exit the stage after "Simple Dude" from 2018's TPC.
Following a 15-minute weather delay, the band returned to tear through a five-song set, including fan favourites "End of a Spark" and "Tessellate." Energized by the soaked crowd, Wright roamed the stage, draping his arm around guitarist Josh Hook, leading the audience in a rhythmic clap during "Wait Up (Boots of Danger)" as Monk headed a singalong for set closer "Your English Is Good."
Now approaching middle age, Tokyo Police Club worked hard to give the Ottawa crowd the same buoyancy and enthusiasm they once brought as fresh-faced 21-year-olds.
