Busybee's Playlist

Not FDA approved, proceed with caution at your own expense

“Honestly I forgot Montreal was such a loud crowd” – Kevin Parker.

On March 10, at Place Bell in Laval, Québec, the Australian psychedelic music project Tame Impala wowed the Montreal crowd, with an array of light play, synthetic groovy beats, and just an overall delightful energy.

In the studio, multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker writes, produces and records all of the music projects. While on tour, however, he is accompanied by Cam Avery on the bass and vocals, Dominic Simper (guitar, synthesizer), Julien Barbagallo (drums, vocals), and Jay Watson (synthesizer, vocals, guitar).

After almost two years with little to no live performances, one can see just how much the city has been craving the rush of a concert. I certainly was one of those who have missed feeling the beat of the music rushing through my entirety, the floor shaking with the many dancing and jumping bodies, the roar of the crowd as they sing the artist’s lyrics back to them. Parker’s wide grin at the energy radiating in Place Bell was enough to tell you as much.

The setlist covered a number of Tame Impala’s most coveted hits, starting off with “One More Year” from the 2020 album, The Slow Rush, ending with “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” from the 2015 album, Currents — not including the Encore songs.

The crowd’s intensity, and fervor could be felt at every song. Clapping at every beat, bodies swaying from side to side, arms lifted up in the air with heads falling back, eyes shut — the picture of pure delight. And as one could expect, when one of Tame Impala’s most famous songs, “Let It Happen” (Currents, 2015) began to play, the combination of powerful light beams and the fervent screaming fans belting the lyrics was a beautiful sight to behold — and be a part of.

One can’t talk about Tame Impala’s concert, without giving an ode to the opening act: Junglepussy.

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Shayna McHayle, known by her stage name Junglepussy, is an American rapper who riled up the crowd with her provocative, sensual lyrics as well as her, quite frankly, larger-than-life stage presence.

The Montreal crowd was welcoming the act with open arms, whooping and cheering McHayle on as she twerked on stage and belted her lyrics.

Nearing the end of her performance, she fans herself with what seems to be a small piece of cardboard, and the bass drops to signal the beginning of “Pop for You” from her 2015 album, Pregnant with Success. The crowd goes wild, as the designated fan reveals to be inscribed with “This Pussy Don’t Pop for You,” and McHayle, with her fiery red hair framing her sharp gaze, dropping low, hovering over the ground.

Safe to say, Montreal’s dormant music scene has finally come alive. And here’s to many more nights like these.