6/27: Hiatus Kaiyote and Yaya Bey for Day 1 at the Montreal Jazz Fest
Day 1 is filled with sore feet, skepticism, excitement and powerful performances making for a big start to the festival.
Okay so sometime back in March, I was having a one on one at my day job. My boss was like “You know you really do not need to be in the hospital of your job. You should do one of those things like work remote in Guatemala for a week or two like what the young kids are doing.” It was crazy that she said this because I week earlier I saw that the Montreal Jazz Fest was coming up and I thought how awesome it would be to go live in the city for two weeks going to tons of shows at night. Now, I am here! Arrived driving through a rainstorm, getting a speeding ticket and getting soaked immediately upon arriving. I made it and now time to figure out this whole adventure.
I successfully completed my first day working remote at the hostel I am staying at which went a lot smoother than expected. I have to run some errands around the city for some things I forgot to bring and I find out my service just is not working. I barely ever can connect. I troubleshoot everything I can and eventually just accept my phone doesn’t want to give me cell service. I am very thankful for the free WIFI spots in all the plazas in Montreal. Definitely, proving to be a hassle making me nervous how the rest of my time will go here surfing off the free internet waves whenever they come my way.
Yaya Bey goes on at 7:30pm at the TD stage so I leave my hostel at 6:40pm to get there in ample time before she starts so I can walk around and get my bearings. They close down a whole good sized block and set up multiple stages in the concert area of the city. The free shows are outside for the most part but the ticketed ones are in the venues between the Downtown and the Quartier des Spectacles neighborhoods.
I spark a joint on my walk over there listening to “Igor” by Tyler, The Creator. I wanted to listen to Vince Staples new album but since my internet issues are causing a ruckus I’m stuck with only my most favorite music I have preciously downloaded on my phone. I have yet had time to properly grocery shop so I am eating the leftovers from my Bonnaroo trip. Tonight was a sad dinner with a can of baked beans, canned artichoke hearts and a canned fruit cocktail. All straight out of the can. I spent all my money on concert tickets and travel quite literally so its straight out of the can for me this summer on my adventures. Please do hit me up with those low effort, healthy and cheap backpacking meals to fuel me!
I spend my days writing into my notes starting a journal entry for each day. I write there when I go out and if it is good I usually make an article on it to share. In general though, I write in my journal the same reason why I am doing this: to capture ephemeral moments of human brilliance. Going to shows is just the perfect atmosphere to do that but also just going outside in public works too. I love to just write down the beautiful stuff I see in the world like a group of friends doing lame parkour on some cool city sculptures. You do not have to be good. The joy on your faces and your laughter are free passes to spread your infectious energy as you remember what it is like to be a kid again. Just free play out in the world with no concern of who is watching or judging.
I get into the festival and go to the fill station to fill my water bottle. It is just a water fountain which is disappointing but I make do. As I am slowly filling it up, the fucking water fountain water went sideways like a glitch in the matrix and then shot up something weird was happening with the water pressure which made it kind of fun but ultimately annoying. A bad game of “I wonder if the water will go in my bottle where I want to or if it has a mind of its own.” Then, I go to the porta potties and the urinal had cobwebs in it! I am in shock quite literally as how a dirty ass porta pottie has cobwebs as if went through a wormhole traveling through time only to return back to where it is. They’ve also got some confusing porta potties up here. A crank door handle that you crank does nothing to get you out. I end up having to force the door open to get out. It wasn’t till way later on my walk home did I realize that porta pottie door was likely broke hence no-one used it except the guy ahead of me that made a mess and allowed the cobwebs to grow.
It is 7:09pm and I am sitting on the curb at the TD Stage. There is plenty of room to get pretty close to the stage so I’m in no rush to get up quite yet. I just saw Yaya Bey in Toronto as she opened for Charlotte Day Wilson on 6/6 (that article is delayed due to my life but I’ll publish something about it in July, stay tuned it was awesome) and I know I’ll still be able to get close to enjoy the show but I don’t have to push up in front of another bigger fan. Two guys fist bump in front of me. One has tattoos and a giant jug of hand sanitizer and the other is bald in all black. That is just a snippet of the scene in the grand scheme of this beautiful place right downtown in Montreal. The sun is in its golden hour and the people are packing in for the first night of the Montreal jazz fest at the TD stage to see Ya Ya Bey. It is a little bit chilly cooling down to the 60s later tonight after the massive amount of rain I arrived in at midnight last night. I’m wearing my trusty steeds — my Chacos that carried me 52 miles at Bonnaroo last week, cream loose denim pants and my other 70s Wrangler shirt that is off navy with cream paisley on it also with opal buttons. They even got good music playing as we wait which makes sense given who’s coming to the festival. The people running this clearly have good taste in music.
I find a spot center stage about 10-15 people back. I just took a picture of the stage and am immediately thinking like “Day 1 of the Montreal Jazz Fest” for like an article or an Instagram post title like this is why I’m here and this is what I’m doing. Yet, I have no idea how this will go. A sprint of 10 days working during the day, catching shows at night, then getting home late for bed. Do I sleep? Socialize? Write? Yes of course I write but when. Go to bed of course, wake up for work and then repeat? I am feeling overhwlemed and skeptical but there is no way to find out other than trying! The time I guess to write is right now as I wait for the next show.
They got little tacos or at least someone does. Not everything the crowd is holding is something the fest sells. It looks to be a nice crowd together. Some really gorgeous people and everybody has a sense of fashion like seriously. One of my favorite things about traveling is exploring the fashion of the people I am visiting and Montreal has something good to explore. One thing different about this festival, I noticed immediately that they have evacuation routes already with designated rails and people keeping them open. There is also an escape right off the front left of the TD stage. It’s not something I’ve seen before but for a free festival downtown in a major city makes sense.
For anyone wondering, They really do speak mad French here like anytime I hear English I’m like ‘Yo wassup my homie can you help me’ not that they do not speak English. French is the dominate language. I find it especially comforting to be in a crowd where I do not know the language which is strange because it is inherently isolating. I am curious as to how this develops over my time here. The aspect of not having cell service is becoming an annoying issue. It is kinda helpful as I do this thing to have the internet for research.
I did have my first yawn at 7:25 oh no I’m sleepy because I forgot my afternoon caffeine dump. It’ll be fine I’ll just two step slower for the night.
Yaya Bey opens with her song “nobody knows” which has a crazy killer second verse spitting about her life problems. The thing is they’re so relatable but ends with the refrain “Nobody knows, my, my, my, my, my, my, troubles but me” which is true but we all can relate in some way but let people have their own troubles, don’t take their pain away from themselves even if you directly relate.
“I’d just like to say Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Puerto Rico and Hawai'i” shouts Yaya Bey as the crowd cheers in solidarity. “Also, Fuck Joe Biden and that Netanyahu piece of shit.” - Yaya Bey continues. Hearing the cheers of a crowd outside the US to the condemnation of my president is enriching. The world should hold our president accountable and please know I will be doing my best job to do so as well. Yaya Bey has a pure heart you can see as she advocates for humanity on stage and through the stories she tells in her music. Her voice is smooth and heavy like a rich and creamy ice cream on a hot summer day bringing a soothing comfort to our souls.
Before going into her next song she says “I saw two children but like this next song is not for children. “ Then goes on to reassure the crowd “Don’t worry you’re still a good parent just cover their ears.” Which is some funny banter before starting her song letting loose on stage dancing around like she owns it.
“Okay so for my next song, ‘Me and all my N***as’, if you are this color.” she points to her palm “Don’t say n***as, we love y’all but just don’t say it.”
Last weekend, She went to Coney Island and screamed her voice off and yesterday was worried about performing today. Her dad died in 2022 and Coney Island was their spot together. Wrapping up her endearing story about her dad and her life with “Shout out my dad dude.” What a heartwarming moment! Shout out to all the dad’s out there especially mine. Then she goes into play “Reprise” which has one of my favorite lines of hers.
Another thing that’s great about this festival is they have drink runners walking around the crowd. Coolers strapped over their shoulders or racks of drinks balanced on their head going through the crowd. Fresh lemonade, cold beer and what look to be slushies of sorts. I'll have to find out what the slushy looking things look like because those look good.
“I wrote this next song about capitalism cause I don’t like to work like shit I’m missing premier of The Bear right now! I should be home but I’m here fucking working.” I want to watch The Bear too but I am here working as well, fuck. She ended her performance with her never ending radiant energy. Her music pours out of her soul and into yours. It really has been a treat being introduced to her this past month but being able to catch her twice so recently.
As I am walking back to the fill station to fill my bottle, I hear “Wow this is so cool! Everything here is so cool!” gushes a teenage British girl. I am just as bewildered as her. Everything here is so cool.
There is an hour before the show and I am arguably most excited to see Hiatus Kaiyote out of the entire festival line up. I have been wanting to see them since I discovered their first LP in 2014 so pretty much ten years. I get a great spot front and center just a few rows back which I think is the sweet spot as the stage is about 6 feet off the ground so being on the rails you actually do not get to see the whole stage.
This stage setup and the lights they’ve been flash testing look fucking crazy. This show will definitely be nuts and boy it was. “Escuuu” “Pardonn” “Escuuuu” “Pardon” someone says as they wiggle through the crowd to get to their friends. I googled earlier what French Canadian people say to push past in a crowd and didn’t find an solid answer but looks like the answer found me.
Fifteen minutes till the show starts, this guy with a camera pulls up and just like takes up all my space as I moved back for him to continue on past but looks like I made enough space for him to just get comfortable with and take. I am slightly annoyed but do not want to say anything. I am so close to him I can’t help but look over his shoulder as he texts his friend to meet up. Vanessa🔥 texts “I am right of the stage just below the screen” and he replies “I am right of the stage too close to the front.” Except we are totally left of the stage so I don’t know what this guy is talking about. He hangs around as I try to exist in the little space I have left. He eventually leaves to go find her gaining confidence after someone else pushed through the crowd that he has to.
At 9:36pm, she’s finishing up “And We Go Gentle” with the repetition of ‘Can I get get a light?’ throughout the song. The singer, Nai Palm, is sure to get everyone in the crowd to pull out a lighter or their phone to light this whole place up. Don’t worry girl, we got you. Their music is like jazz hypnotism it will draw you in with their funky fresh grooves getting you to bop along. She’s got the whole crowd pulled in and despite my my legs hurting so much I persist on in my own hypnotic bop.
“We have a new album coming out at midnight!” Those that already know which are rife in the crowd are screaming alongside with me so excited for their new release. “Cinnamon Temple” is my favorite single from it. They they go into their title track of the record “Love Heart Cheat Code”.
Their bassist is ripping it up during “Chilvary Is Not Dead” especially on the breakdown on his 6 string baddie. I am beginning to find it increasingly hard to categorize their sound. It is something so fresh that I don’t quite hear anywhere else in the world. It is like new-wave jazz, neo-psych and soul thrown into a blender. The sound and chaos of the blender is part of the sound as well. The lyricism is otherworldly taking you along for a ride on their sonic journey. It is easy to dance to whether you are in space or in the jungle.
In the middle of “Red Room”, Palm is checking in with the crowd as the music plays on about a situation. Then, she signals for the band to stop because someone is having a medical emergency and then goes on to make sure a staff member of the festival is on top of it. No-one is immediately ready so it takes some time, coordination that the Palm is directing and help from the crowd. Once it is under control the show is back on with Palm later checking in multiple times to see if it is all good. Bless her heart. Also, peep the cool ass love birds singing the song to each other.
“Should we do it again?” She yells to the crowd which we enthusiastically respond with cheers as it is one of our favorites. “Yeah? OK DJ run that shit back!” and back we go into the Red Room for another grand time.
Their music is super dynamic with each instrument acting as a wall of another spatial dimension. It creates this surrealistic, six dimensional audio space that I really do not know how much better to describe but witnessing it live is totally different than their studio recordings. I have never heard anything quite like it before.
In another one of my favorite songs, “Molasses”, the band does a wildly different intro especially vocally. I can only tune in that I recognize the song bassed off of the key notes in the melody I am hearing but they’re doing something jazzy with it.
The keys take us somewhere intimate and emotional during this instrumental break highlighting the diversity this band has to offer in terms of sound. They will take you from a hypnotic jazz funk trance to an emotional piano solo to a rager of a dance party.
During their second last song, “Building a Ladder”, which is one of my favorites of theirs, another girl fainted leading to the show to be stopped again. Which is all okay but serves as a reminder to make sure you hydrate, do not lock your knees and to test your drugs. This time someone is immediately on it from the festival. During this little break, one of the backup singers says “And that’s jazz sometimes it just gets to you sometimes.” She then goes to give a shoutout to the indigenous people of Canada recognizing the challenges they go through having their land stolen from them. She spoke on how the native people of Australian lands are going though something similar. She then extends it to all who suffer at the hands of colonialism. I will never ever get sick of an artist using their literal stage and microphone to advocate for humanitarian justice.
I see a girl with a toothpick. Fuck! I wish I had mine but I left them in my car. The girl has been helped and they only have time for one more song. So they plug their new album again and start playing their new song “Make Friends” giving a shout out to all the new friends the crowd has made tonight. This song is so much fun turning into a dance party immediately with the crowd clapping on the beat needing no encouragement to start. The male backup singer pulls out a trumpet tossing some melodies over on top of what the drums and bass have got going. The rest of the singers meet up dancing with each other on stage. Dance break is over but it was amazing for every moment it lasted. Nai Palm is purely incredible. I do not know how she does what she does with her voice but she has one of the best live voices with an incredible dynamic range. Sometimes she would use some crazy vocal effects which I don’t even know how to describe because I never heard anyone sound like that. I think she put her vocals through a delay and reverb effect creating a wall of sound that would have a slight compressed echo. Her front woman energy is iconic. Getting the whole crowd together dancing, singing, building connections with those in the crowd that get ‘IT’ (On The Road energy type of IT) and the best energy too. One of the best shows I’ve been to hands down and man well worth the wait. I’ll be itching to see them again soon.
As I’m walking back, I get intrigued by the street musicians singing get lucky which is a song that people will bop and sing tune always — thank you Daft Punk. A great way to pull people in for a little bit to join a free street party. I indulge for a bit as the people do. I’m eating my poutine happy as can be. And then I put my earbuds in to tune out that sound and go back to my own.
Walking up past the City Hall of Montreal after a show, gets me thinking about a coming home walk like something from Forest Hills, or an iconic music venue or your favorite venue. It becomes a spiritual pilgrimage in a way. The return home. I really loved the pilgrimage home for Outside Lands: leaving golden gate park through the tunnel singing the song, meandering through the neighborhoods to get to the metro stop, taking the cable cars back to our neighborhood, stopping at the corner store for cold juice and munchies. Bonnaroo also had a good walk home straight 20 minute meander allowing time to decompress and make friends. Tonight was also good too. Just over a 20 minute walk home through a beautiful city with the last of the walk the most gorgeous in Old Montreal with all the people out and about. I watch this photographer lose friends to the other side of the lens and it was timed perfectly with me. Without breaking stride, I go up taking her phone gesturing her to go in just as the last of her friends peeled off to join everyone else posing on the fountain. Everybody screams with joy as I snap the divine moment that they will all get to enjoy. Such a beautiful moment and a beautiful picture. I think a random guy did join them for the pic too. Made it back absolutely exhausted. Goodnight and hoping the rest of the week is as incredible as tonight.
