no act of kindness is small and insignificant!!! if you choose to be kind and do good your choice matters and makes the world a better place. never underestimate a kind heart
Louis Tomlinson knew where to go on his second album Faith In The Future with rockier and smashing indie songs from Britpop inspirations to modern indie classics. His Place Bell’s Laval show was no exception with a stellar performance and the stage scenic effects on point.
First to hit the stage were Snarls from Columbus, Ohio with their fine twist of indie pop. With their fun guitar chords and dancey rock beats, it was such a refreshing and enjoyable time. The female-fronted band were solid on their first performance on Canadian soil with their jolly and emotive lyrics, singalongs and beautiful melodies.
Snarls set up for what was going to be a magical night, all smile on stage with such good vibes. Those who loves Haim, Tegan And Sara, jangly and strong riffs will be served.
We knew Irish indie- rock is catchy right now with the rise of many bands like Inhaler, Fontaines D.C, New Dad and Louis Tomlinson brought in another one, The Academic. Hailing from Mullingar (yeah that’s why the accent sounded familiar, hello Niall Horan!), the crowd was all over it, singing along dancing and jumping around on the upbeat indie pop songs.
Blending elements of pop with magnificently driven chords, the songs are powerful whether they sing rock songs or emotional ballads. Crowd went crazy on Girlfriends, singing a Capella on melancholic soothing drum snarls and bright riffs. Here’s a little snippet of The Academic performance that brought the magic to the French Canadian city. What a blast!
While waiting for Louis Tomlinson and the band to come on stage, pre-show playlist drove us back in time from Nirvana to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Pixies while going in depth into British culture with some Foals, Maximo Park and obviously lots of Arctic Monkeys and never forget Oasis Supersonic banger from Definitely Maybe, a fire throwback to 1994’s Britpop era.
While roadies prepping the set up and Louis Tomlinson’s scribbling Faith In The Future on the big screen, people were so loud even before he hit the stage. Through the huge screams and claps, Louis and his band then hit the first note of The Greatest for a solid intro. Kill my mind followed with such a viral energy and the fans iPhone lighting effects and singalongs. While playing Bigger Than Me on the opening night Uncasville and skipping it the next show, Laval was so happy to get it back on the set list, this is such an anthem and live it’s totally an incredible vibe. Louis Tomlinson energy was all over going from side to side of the stage, interacting with the fans like a proper rock star (and we absolutely adored it!) while teasing and laughing at his amazing musician.
Britpop inspiration floated from every side of the 10,000 cap almost-full arena alongside the live versions of Lucky Again and the slick guitars of Isaac Anderson and Michael Blackwell. Louis Tomlinson’s vocals were solid and very emotional, happiness and smiles flowing all around the people crowd. We were definitely Holding Out To Heartache when the concert finished later on! The Doncaster-born singer never let negativity bring him down and he proved it with Face The Music. Rock and indie was always his thing and he finally step up on his last record to find his genuine sound. He’s thankful for the fans and never forget where he belongs. Dedicating We Made It for his supporters, people sang along loudly to the chorus. Forging his career since 2010 and even from a younger age, Louis Tomlinson is humble, grateful and gave us a very strong and rockier edition of his former band One Direction’s with Night Changes and the crowd was really into it screaming at the chorus.
Emotional and so impossible to describe the feeling, the Yorkshire singer-songwriter got this special bond with his fans. With few words, laughs and drinks, he sang back to back hits from Faith in The Future new album and bonus tracks with soulful songwriting like Chicago, Saved By AStranger and kicked in with the dance feeling of Foals-esque number Written All Over Your Face, pointing his mic through the crowd with the infamous “SING IT” vibes. Louis Tomlinson knows how to rock in style with his eclectic influences and props to his musicians sparkling some magic with his wonderful new-wave infused mega mix of All This Time and She Is Beauty, We Are World Class. His stage presence and pyrotechnics effects were just incredible and added some spice and energy to the show.
How do you make a perfect setlist? Mix some rockier song with heavy tearful ballads. Following A Copy Of A Copy Of A Copy and the Oasis-inspired first album titled song Walls, Louis Tomlinson surprised the fans with Bebe Rexha’s collab Back To You. Add more guitars, hectic drums and you got a truly better indie version. It was so original and that’s the kind of rendition that could attract brand new audiences. Of course, we can’t skip how his voice truly fits Alex Turner’s shoes on his brilliant cover of 505 by Arctic Monkeys. Indie Louis is a pure gem. The Angels Fly in the room with all the phone flashlights moving in sync and people humming the chorus with Tomlinson. The singer brings hope and joy to the world and the confetti exploded in the room to the jolting guitar riffs of Out Of My System. People jumped around and Louis Tomlinson did his traditional hop in the front pit to interact with fans.
Lights went off and fans shouted and cheered for the encore. Few minutes later, Louis Tomlinson’s offered three last songs, kicking it with Where Do Broken Hearts Go? He gained such confidence slaying on the high notes on some guitar-centred version, inspired by The Who. It was theatrical and emotional just like the beginning of Saturdays and the lights blinking like stars all across the arena. The night closed the Britpop fashion way with Silver Tongues in such a very electric way. Louis Tomlinson presence on stage was so on point all over the show that we would even have take more and more! What a night!
Get Faith In The Future tour tickets, records and more here! Get to know more on Snarls on their website and The Academic here.
