While some might value a cohesive evening of music above all else, I’ve personally never had a problem with three wildly different acts sharing the stage for an evening. This was the exact situation in the dimly lit, intimate setting of Quai des Brumes, where we gathered for an eclectic mix of electronic, college rock, and throwback pop.
The evening’s biggest surprise came early on with Sun Entire, a three-piece that far exceeded the sum of its parts. What could have made for sombre listening (thanks in large part to the gutwrenching vocals from poet-singer June Moon) was brought to life by irresistible trip-hop beats from Ivann Urueña and dialed guitar from Nico Serrus. Harkening back to the crunchy breakbeats and airy rhythms of 2000s pop rock, Sun Entire walked on a razor’s edge between deeply emotional ballads and downright groovy dance numbers. By the end of their set, it was fair to say they had won the room over with a sound that none of us had ever heard before.
Next up, we had The Wesleys, who you’ve probably heard of if you’ve been to any Montreal show in the past year. Young and with seemingly boundless energy, this group is the definition of good, clean fun—like a college party band all grown up and aiming for the big time. With all four members taking turns singing on the mic and the tempo never dipping for long, it’s hard to find anything to dislike about The Wesleys and their unique blend of indie-pop rock and punk. Like every other time I’ve seen them, The Wesleys looked completely stoked to be playing—an energy that was easily reciprocated by the rest of us.
Lastly, we had an exceptional set from our main attraction, Karma Glider. There is something about this act that feels distinctly modern, yet also so firmly rooted in the traditions of indie rock from a decade or two ago. Evoking sounds from Oasis and The Killers, frontman Susil Sharma brings something unique with his laid-back, effortless vocal delivery and his weirdly nonchalant, blisteringly fast guitar licks. The band oozed confidence, inviting us into a wash of jangly tones and throaty bass that feels so easy to get lost in—like losing track of time on a summer afternoon. On initial listening, Karma Glider might seem simple—easy music for easy listening—but this live set showed the true craft and talent working behind the scenes of this elegant, sunshiney ensemble.
In the end, it was a warm, balmy, hazy summer’s eve with the music to match, and I’d recommend any combination of The Wesleys, Sun Entire, and Karma Glider to those in search of sounds to fit the season.
