Sound Therapy: Wednesday and Unwound Live at The Concert Hall in Toronto
Photo: Steve St. Jean
Last week, Washington post-hardcore band Unwound returned to Toronto for the first time in 23 years after their hiatus following the 2001 release of Leaves Turn Inside You. The band brought along North Carolina alt-rockers Wednesday to open up the show, still making the rounds supporting their critically acclaimed 2024 LP Rat Saw God via Dead Oceans.
The night was a sonically driven therapeutic experience, with both bands delivering a set drenched in healing powers from Wednesday's cathartic screams during their closing song, "Bull Believer,' which was introduced by singer Karly Hartzman with an invitation to scream along with her because "everything is fucked" (in regards to the US taxpayers money funding the war in Gaza) to Unwound's calming meditative sound loop of weather forecasts being read aloud from what sounded like a CB radio broadcasting from a bunker post-apocalypse at the beginning of their set (not to mention their droning guitars and feedback that drenched their whole set).
Both bands' experiences were vastly different but strangely melded so perfectly together (at least for me, being a big fan of both).
Wednesday's set felt like an invitation into their practice space as the band noodled around with their songs and regained their groove. Hartzman noted that they've been off for a while but are getting back to it. Guitarist MJ Lenderman was stage left in and out of the shadows with a subtle masterclass in guitar precision and cool vibes. He didn't miss a beat after taking some time off touring, maybe because he's playing more than ever as he ramps up promo for his new album and tour, which sees him back in Toronto for a solo performance in October.
Unwound stepped out from the darkness of the side stage with flowers lining the front of the stage, perfectly timed as the looping radio broadcast wrapped up and the band got straight to business ripping into "Message Received," closely followed by the epic "Corpse Pose." Their sound was impeccable throughout their entire set, with their trademark tone and feedback that fans of their music have come to love (and worshipped by Wednesday's Hartzman in their opening set). The band played songs mostly from their 1996 LP Repetition but layered in some back catalogue songs such as "Honourosis" from 1993's Fake Train, "Usual Dosage" from 1994's New Plastic Ideas, and "Sonata for Loudspeakers" from 1998's Challenge For a Civilized Society.
For many fans in the audience (myself included), this was most likely the first time that they had had a chance to see Unwound live, and it surely did not disappoint. Wednesday and Unwound performed a stellar show, bridging a generational gap between discographies and fan bases and mixed perfectly.
For those who missed out, check out our concert photos below to relive Wednesday and Unwound at The Concert Hall.
CONCERT PHOTOS
WEDNESDAY
UNWOUND
Unwound Setlist
Message Received
Corpse Pose
Unauthorized Autobiography
Honourosis
Hexenzsene
Usual Dosage
Arboretum
Look a Ghost
Scarlette
Murder Movies
Next Exit
Devoid
Mkultra
Sonata for Loudspeakers
Summer Freeze
For Your Entertainment
Relive Unwound's set with the playlist below:
Photography: Steve St. Jean
