July Talk and Their “Touch 10th Anniversary Tour” Roar into Montreal [Photos]

It may be spring, but it still feels like summer is months away. The end of March is the time when Montreal is ready for July to arrive. This past Saturday night at the Théâtre Beanfield, it was July Talk that was ready for Montreal. Fans were still bundled against below-zero temperatures as they walked to the venue. However, July Talk was in town to provide an oasis of musical heat to warm Montreal’s winter-weary bones.

July Talk has been touring since the beginning of March. They’ve been visiting some of Canada’s biggest cities in celebration of perhaps their biggest album. “The Touch 10th Anniversary Tour” has been providing fans with the ability to celebrate the hit album. July Talk play the album from beginning to end, while also adding in some of their other hits. Getting to hear the whole album played live makes for an unforgettable experience.

Speaking of unforgettable, our opening act made sure that we wouldn’t forget her name. Julianna Riolino hit the stage with a swagger that said she was going to make a statement. She is a wild hybrid of classic rock and country, with a pinch of punk rock thrown in as well. “Julianna!” she would shout to the crowd while the fans would respond with “Riolino!” A call and response that would only get louder as the set progressed.

Julianna and her band obviously came here to rock, something she yelled to the crowd several times. They certainly accomplished their task. Julianna was giving off some Joan Jett vibes with her raspy voice and unlimited energy on stage. She also had the crowd rocking out on tunes like “Full Moon” and “Running.” But, she was also able to slow things down to a calm sway. She did that with a cover of Paul McCartney’s “Let Me Roll It,” which she blended with “Why Do I Miss You.” It was a terrific performance that left everyone wanting more.

Up next came July Talk, led to the stage by the uniquely voiced Peter Dreimanis. Hanging near the drums, with her back turned to the audience, was the other half of July Talk’s vocals, Leah Fay. Their back-and-forth vocals are July Talk’s calling card. After grooving to the opening notes of “Picturing Love,” she turned. Revealing an awesome baby bump. The sign on the ticket window had read ‘Sold Out’ when I arrived, but it looked like we may have been one over capacity.

That little baby must be having the best crash course in music of all time. I used to put headphones on my better half’s baby’s belly so they could hear some tunes. This little guy, or gal, was getting the full-on concert experience. Every night, for the last month. “Beck + Call” quickly followed as the band ticked off every song from the Touch album, all the way down to the closing track “Touch.”

Not ready to call it a night, July Talk continued the party with nine other tracks from their other albums. Closing with an awesome trifecta of “Summer Dress,” “Guns + Ammunition,” and “The Garden.” July’s warmth may remain a ways off, but July Talk had turned the heat up to 11.

Their “Touch 10th Anniversary Tour” has come to an end, but they’re sure to be back on the road again soon, probably with a little bundle of joy crawling around backstage.