Fans can never complain they did not get what they paid for as the Pierce Brothers played for a whopping 1 hour and 40 minutes – that being said, the crowd wouldn’t let them leave the stage.

It was a relief to see the backline filled and mics setup for the headliner, Matt Kopp AKA Running Touch. He had been a festival favourite throughout 2019 and was well known for his stage presence and overall consistent performance. A year of rest didn’t dampen his talents. The graphics for the show was well curated, amplifying the energy he was presenting on stage.

QR codes and masks were not a feature at my last Forum gig, but they were firmly ingrained in the standard routine as the crowds began to line up on a warm January Wednesday. After sitting empty for months, it was the injection of humans needed to bring music back to live (pun intended). 

One of the first times I saw Dal Santo, they had a packed basement at the Grace Darling, where there was a guy in a panda costume and people jumping so hard they almost hit their head on the roof. Safe to say my expectations were high for a great set and the boys delivered.

The stormy night and hallmark holiday didn’t stop the music fiends from rolling into Cherry Bar for a Friday night gig featuring Alex Moses, Excuse for an Exit, and Waxflower. It may have found a new home on Little Collins, but the spirit of the rock and roll dive bar is alive and well this Valentine’s Day.