Cherry Pools (w/ Plum, Bicyclops) @ Sneaky Dee’s (Toronto, ON) on May 5, 2018 [Show Review w/ Photos]

Toronto pop-rock outfit, Cherry Pools made their headlining debut to a sold-out crowd at Toronto’s Sneaky Dee’s. The newest project for frontman Martin Broda, a well-known figure in Toronto’s music scene, there was already hype surrounding the show; hype that lived up to expectations as attendees experienced a night of bright neon lights, sombre dreamy pop, and hint of experimental rock.

Bicyclops opened the show and their ambient, yet riveting sound kept the crowd on their toes for what was to come next. They may have only been performing as a three-piece, but the large amount of sounds and intricacies made it feel like a much larger band. While they didn’t necessarily fit with the other acts’ vibe, they were a great way to get the party started.

Hamilton’s Plum followed up, sticking more to the aesthetic that was expected. A big departure from the previous work of multi-instrumentalist Jesse Doreen (formerly of Counterparts), this dreamy, atmospheric sound was 80’s glam pop meets a dark cabaret vibe, especially with vocalist Rachael Kross bringing a presence in the vein of Marilyn Monroe. This is new band, which brings something new to the table, is one to keep an eye on.

Headliners Cherry Pools closed out the night giving fans everything they could’ve hoped for and more. Absolute bop central! Not one audience member was standing still, everyone was grooving out and loving the show. With over-the-top neon lights flashing left and right, and the band engaging with the energetic crowd, the quartet played their three most recent songs, some new stuff, and a lovely Whitney Houston cover to top it all off. A fantastic introduction to a fresh band that should not be slept on.

If you missed this show, or want to experience it again, the band will be returning to Toronto’s Velvet Underground on June 10, supporting I Don’t Know How But They Found Me on a two-week tour which also including stops throughout the Eastern States.

Tour Dates (w/ I Don’t Know How But They Found Me):

06/03 – Nashville, TN
06/05 – Chicago, IL
06/06 – St. Paul, MN
06/07 – Milwaukee, WI
06/08 – Detroit, MI
06/09 – Grand rapids, MI
06/10 – Toronto, ON
06/11 – Cleveland, OH
06/13 – Pittsburgh, PA
06/14 – Philadelphia, PA
06/15 – Washington, DC
06/16 – Worcester, MA
06/17 – Amityville, NY
06/18 – Asbury Park, NJ

Check out the video for newest single, “Hollywood”.