Tracks and Feel: Live Sports at Bar le Ritz PDB

As we struggle for breathing room in the sardine can of a sold-out Bar le Ritz, there’s a sleepy buzz beginning to rise amongst the Wednesday night crowd who’ve shown up for longtime indie sensations Sports. 

First, though, we’re introduced to Chrissy, a singer-songwriter from LA whose artist name makes her as difficult to research as the headliner. She holds impressive power over the vibrating room despite being up there on her own, with a dulcet voice that’s inarguably captivating, even if I find her overall arrangements to be a little simple for my taste.

After an extremely quick set from Chrissy, it’s now time for the main event. Sports is no doubt playing in some relatively major venues on this world tour, evidenced by the intricate setup of stage lights that fill the space onstage. With a brief instrumental intro, vocalist Cale Chronister takes the stage, decked out in a Britpop-inspired fit of chunky sunglasses and a white tracksuit to match.

Sports has been in the game for more than a decade, with an impressive musical catalogue that spans many, many eras of my personal life. Perhaps that’s why it’s so surprising that, when you hear songs from across their history stacked up next to each other, so much of it sounds the same. 

It’s a pleasure to hear nostalgic tracks like “Someone You’d Rather Be Dating” and “You Are the Right One”. These songs take me back to teenage bong chops and anxious waits for texts back, as I suspect they do for many. But when combined with cuts from their new self-titled LP, the Sports catalogue tends to blend together into a wash of throaty bass over lacklustre drum machines, holding this act back from their full live potential.

None of this is to say that Sports puts on a bad show. Despite my thoughts on their same-y setlist, they eventually coerced and cajoled the crowd into clapping, singing, and dancing along, and it’s clear that for those who have history with Sports, nothing can remove them from that soft, special spot in our hearts. I’d argue that a live drummer would transform Sports’ set, but on the other hand, transformation has never been the strong suit of this rock-steady act. 

For those looking for a direct hit of the comforting, familiar thrum of Sports and their sexy, funk-infused pop experiments, their live show is one you won’t want to miss.

Photos Stephan Boissonneault