I guess being born with a name like Max Baby, you kind of have to grow up to be a showman. With pointed ears peeking out between dark, grown-out locks, Baby delivered his explosive electronic rock to Rouyn-Noranda’s Petit Theatre like an indie sleeze Christmas elf.
Alternating bursts of stalking and stumbling around the stage with airborne solos at the precipice, this show was fun to watch from start to finish. The sound was reminiscent of a darker Phoenix, and talented touring bassist Félix Ramaën kept everything grounded and pulsing, while Baby’s blown-out guitar tone almost sounded like a keyboard.
At times, Baby seemed a little disappointed in a perceived lack of verbal enthusiasm from the audience, but that didn’t stop him from leaving his guitar behind to jump into the crowd and demand a response, singing passionately as he flailed through bodies to launch himself off a table at the back of the room. As he repeats in one catchy song, Max Baby made it clear he believes he “can do anything” and is damn well going to try.
