July Talk is seriously one of the most underrated bands, not just in Canada, but anywhere on planet earth! I may be biased with my love for this group, but it’s very much grounded in reality. This past Monday night at London Music Hall was not only remarkable for the always magnificent musicianship and visual performance presented for the nearly sold-out London audience, but also for the connection Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay Goldstein have with their loyal fanbase.
Leading off with their most popular song, Picturing Love, the energy started at a nuclear level and never waned once. A very pregnant Goldstein again, like déjà vu, she was very pregnant exactly three years ago when they played this venue, showed no signs of fatigue at any point in the night.
The tour is called Touch X in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the iconic Touch album, and the album was played in its entirety. A re-release of Touch, revisited and recorded for the anniversary, was on sale at the show and includes a new album of previously unreleased material from the Touch era. The second half of the show began with the title track of the new release, Love’s Not Dead. It echoes the band’s mantra of “love Lives Here” which is a message of inclusiveness and acceptance to their audience. I love the feeling of community at these shows, we need more of this.
The back-and-forth interaction between Dreimanis and Goldstein is always a big part of any July Talk show, and Goldstein’s very pregnant belly figured very prominently. At one point, she was balancing a red Solo cup on her belly while moving across the stage much to the delight of everyone in attendance.
The rest of the show was a mix of popular songs from their other three albums, with emphasis on their debut album. Summer Dress and The Garden finished the show. I find the live energy of a July Talk show intoxicating, and I urge anyone who has not experienced this to see them at least once. You won’t be disappointed!
Opening band Julianna Riolino performed an eight-song set that mixed influences ranging from country and bluegrass to pop and soul. She just released her sophomore album Echo In The Dust, last October, and she is one to watch.
July Talk Setlist:
- Picturing Love
- Beck + Call
- Now I Know
- Johnny + Mary
- Strange Habit
- Push + Pull
- Lola + Joseph
- So Sorry
- Jesus Said So
- Touch
- Love’s Not Dead
- Headsick
- I Am Water
- Certain Father
- Life of the Party
- Paper Girl
- Guns + Ammunition
Encore:
- Summer Dress
- The Garden
July Talk:
Julianna Riolino:
