Oh Here They Come

I wasn't feeling great stomach-wise after dinner on Friday; I'm getting sick every which way as of late. So I gingerly made my way to the Burdock for a show, not sure if it would be better to stay in bed. But I was rewarded with a fun night of music.

Opener was a collection of individual performers called Crystal Light Collective. Headliner Most People was mining 80s nostalgia so I couldn't help but notice that these young women sang in a modern way. Tiger Wing channeled Billie Eilish/Alessia Cara through some slow-moving chords. Soft Honey did spoken word, with her own verses were better than a cover of Lauren Hill. Shaemara gave us some danceable EDM. Finally, Janette King (from Montreal) sounded a bit like Ariana Grande for her 10 minutes.

Most People played songs with an 80s bent, helped in part by equipment either from that era (Yamaha DX7 e-piano) or can reproduce that sound (a 2000 DR-202 Dr. Groove drum machine). Add in some fat bass lines and funky guitar and the ghost of Hall and Oates (with perhaps a touch of 90s R'n'B) was strong on songs like Knife (Call Me Up) and Feeling's Right. Edwin Sheard's alto sax on a few numbers (Breathe) was the icing on this confection. Laura Barrett helped on the synth so the lead singer can take front stage on a sweet duet (Need A Little More) with boyBITCH. Did I mention that they were dressed in those iconic bright boxy suits, with glittery make-up, ear-rings, and necklaces?

Two-thirds into their set, Most People went back to an oldie (Falling Apart). That signaled a transition from smooth 80s to a stronger, more "bangers" vibe for the remainder of the evening. Whatever the feeling, the audience (including myself) was there to join in and dance along.