On Friday evening, Nocturne 3, Espace SAT was transformed into a veritable party thanks to Gayance, aka Aïsha Vertus. With Roaming, the Montreal artist delivered a dazzling collective performance, inviting the audience to share a taste for dance, change, and solidarity.
Surrounded by a close-knit group, Gayance has woven a story in several chapters, where each piece becomes an emotion to be experienced together. Alongside her are Funky Watt on musical direction and bass, Evan Shay on saxophone, Peggy Hogan on keyboards, and Judith Little-D on percussion and vocals. Three distinguished guests—Janet King, Yassin “Narcy” Asalman, and Magi Merlin—also joined in to punctuate the show with unique moments, giving the evening the feel of a collective story told in several chapters.
One of the most memorable moments was the appearance of Narcy, a pioneer of Arabic hip-hop. With a Palestinian flag projected behind him, he had the audience repeat the words “Don’t lose focus. Breathe,” reminding them that “It’s not about one, it’s about us.” ” Set to a jazz-tinged drum & bass beat, this rallying cry carried unexpected political and emotional depth, mourning and solidarity.
Between house, drum & bass, Caribbean grooves, and jazzy accents, Roaming took the form of a musical and emotional journey, eclectic and deeply human. An evening where the artists’ contagious energy transformed into a true call for togetherness.
Photo : Frédérique Ménard-Aubin
