Two Door Cinema Club Blows Away Sold Out Crowd at Toronto’s HISTORY, with Joywave
March 3rd, 2024 | Two Door Cinema Club & Joywave Sold Out Toronto’s HISTORY And Blew Fans Away With A Night To Remember.
March 11th, 2024 | Written by Sierra Madison, Photos by Sierra Madison
Last Sunday Two Door Cinema Club and Joywave were set to hit the stage at one of Toronto’s favourite venues: HISTORY. Fans were sure to arrive early, buzzing with anticipation for an evening that promised an unforgettable blend of pop-rock anthems and danceable beats.
Glassnote Records was kind enough to provide me with a ticket and photo pass for the evening, and having been a fan myself for nearly a decade, to say I was excited was an understatement.
The night kicked off with an electrifying performance by Joywave. The band playfully addressed the audience, poking fun at the Canadian broadcast mandate that required at least 35% of the music broadcasted weekly be Canadian, urging an end of Canada’s Joywave boycott. The American indie rock band hails from Rochester, New York; in their words “just two streets away from the Canadian border”.
If it was up to me, we would be blasting Joywave on the radio constantly - it was my first time seeing them live and admittedly I only knew a song or two, but they quickly turned me into a fan.
Frontman, Daniel Armbruster, quickly captivated the audience with his dynamic presence. He made the stage his home, jumping and running around, urging everyone to dance and sway, hyping them up for the rest of the night.
By the time their set was done, the crowd was warmed up and ready for Two Door Cinema Club.
Two Door Cinema Club took to the stage with an aura of effortless cool. Diving straight into their set with “Sure Enough,” they wasted no time on lengthy introductions, just taking a quick second to express their excitement to be performing in Toronto before diving right into the music.
The setlist was a balanced mix between the beloved hits of their breakthrough album "Tourist History" and some of their newer tracks, reminding the crowd of their versatility as a band. The band's chemistry was addictive, and they delivered a performance that was both tight and brimming with energy, led by Alex Trimble's unique voice, which resonated throughout the venue.
The band members' individuality was on full display, eschewing synchronized choreography for personal expression. Alex Trimble (vocals, rhythm guitar, beats, synths), in an all-white suit with a bright yellow guitar, contrasted with the more casual attire of Sam Halliday (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Kevin Baird (bass, synths, backing vocals).
Trimble's command of the stage was undeniable, his presence magnified by his attire and control of the audience. Halliday's footwork was mesmerizing: it’s hard to take your eyes off him when he starts moving his feet, watching him get lost in the moment. Baird's energy was contagious, engaging the audience with each note played, even jumping on top of the drums at one point.
The stage setup was simple but memorable, with vibrant lighting and visuals amplifying the upbeat tempo of the music. Highlight moments of the night included a stunning light show during "Undercover Martyn”, which the crowd went wild for of course, and an acoustic rendition of "Next Year," which only confirmed the band's versatility and skill.
The concert finished with their classic hit, “What You Know,” leaving the audience electrified. Two Door Cinema Club's evolution from indie rock to a refined blend of indie and electronic influences has made their live performances an exhilarating experience.
For both long-time followers and new fans, the concert was a testament to why Two Door Cinema Club continues to lead the indie music scene.
It just so happened that on the tailwind of the concert, Two Door Cinema Club shared their brand new single “Happy Customer”, a joyful track that captures the essence of sunshine nostalgia, taking us on a trip back to the band’s early days.
The release of their new single comes alongside their announcement of their biggest string of U.S. tour dates yet, kicking off in Atlanta on July 13th and finishing up on October 3rd in Nashville, including two Canadian dates: July 31st at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, ON and on September 13th at The Orpheum in Vancouver, BC.
