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Everybody loves a good comeback story. After a ten-year break and an even longer twelve years since their last visit to Montreal, Down With Webster has returned. The Canadian rap/rock band burst onto the scene in 2009 and rocketed to fame immediately. They earned JUNO nominations for their first two albums, “New Group of the Year” and “Group of the Year” in 2010. They were also a mainstay on MuchMusic, back when the station played music videos, often performing live from the iconic MuchMusic Building on Queen Street in downtown Toronto.

But, as we are told, all good things must come to an end, and Down With Webster decided to take a break. Their triumphant return began with an announcement on April 1st which was followed by a summer tour. That extended out to the current “WinTOUR,” which arrived in Montreal this past Wednesday. It was their first visit to the city since an appearance at Osheaga in 2012, and their fans gathered early in the cold with a gently falling snow at the legendary Théâtre Beanfield.

Opening the show was Sunsetto. Hailing from Nova Scotia, his sound is a mélange of different styles, all perfectly mixed together to create an original style of his own. Start with a bit of pop, add in a healthy dose of rap and then finish up with some fine touches of country and a final twist of rock. The result is a debut album, The Sun, The Moon and The Big Machine, which was released in October, and a terrific 30-minute set that the Montreal crowd enjoyed from beginning to end.

Up next, Down With Webster hit the stage with an energy equal to their performances of a decade ago. The buzzing crowd, made up of long-time followers and some younger fans getting their first Webster experience, immediately sprung to life. Singing the songs back to the band and bouncing with every beat, the old building came to life with energy. Everyone collectively, the fans and the band, wore huge smiles and were enjoying this long-awaited reunion.

Beginning their set with “One In A Million,” following up with “Time to Win,” and then “Go Time,” this little nibbling from each of their albums was all it took to get everyone worked up for the rest of the show. Each of their three albums was well represented, and the fans in attendance got to hear every one of their favourite hits. In the end, it’s true what Tom Petty once said. The waiting is the hardest part, especially if you’ve been doing so for more than a decade. However, if you were to ask those in attendance if the wait had been worth it, you would have certainly got a positive response. Along with the hope that they wouldn’t have to wait another ten years to see their rap/rock heroes again.

Down With Webster’s “WinTOUR” 2024, which, by the way, featured one of my favourite tour posters of the year, was short, sweet and already over by the time you read these words. However, the band appears to be back in the swing of things after all of their reunion shows this past year. They will likely be back on the road in 2025, so head out and see them for a night of energetic fun.

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