The reunion between the Festival International de Jazz audience and Men I Trust, long overdue since 2016, took place this July 3 under lightning and light rain, the show having been delayed by around twenty minutes due to the storm cells raging around it.
As soon as Emmanuelle Proulx took to the stage, however, the heat was on. To the cheers of the crowd, she greeted Montreal in French, and the show began as it ended, with a song from the new Equus Cabullus album: “To Ease You” and “Billie Toppy.” In between, we were treated to a selection of the band’s best-known songs, such as “Show Me How,” “Tailwhip,” “Seven,” “Serenade Of Water,” “Suga,” “I Hope To Be Around” and “Say You Can Hear,” before a conquered crowd that stretched farther than the eye could see.
Jessy Caron and Drago Chiriac also seemed possessed by the energy of a return to their roots, as they were both on fire, giving inspired performances on their respective instruments. Special mention must go to the lighting, with its magnificent backlighting reminiscent of Beach House’s stage aesthetic: a thing of beauty.
An electrifying evening in every sense of the word, with the Montreal trio shining brightly on the Place des Festivals. Not even the rain could dampen their spirits.
Photos: Frédérique Ménard-Aubin
