LARKINS AT MONARCH TAVERN IN TORONTO

Amid all the panic and cancellations of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Larkins from Manchester, UK came to perform their first headlining North American tour at the old Monarch Tavern in Toronto. However, this show would be their one and only show as the rest of their tour was cancelled due to the virus. Arriving at the venue, the audience attendance was maybe about 30-40 people. Was it the fear of the virus or was it that no one really knows the band? A good combination of both most likely. I had never heard of them until my friend from Norway told me about them. She told me about how lively their shows are, so I said, why not?

The band are a group of four who dressed like a mix of a 90s grunge band, 90s Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a bit of a boy band. The lighting was not much better than what an average karaoke bar can do with just red and blue LEDs. Yikes. They seemed a little disappointed by the outcome at the venue, but began to play their music in enjoyment. They are very similar to bands like The 1975 and Pale Waves, but they are definitely pushing their own identity with more grooviness and soulful tracks, and their Manchester accents stuck strong in their singing.

After a few tracks, they talked about where they came from, and how the metropolis of Manchester gave them their voice and boosted their careers and identity. That was also when they mentioned that they flew all the way to play this one show for an hour because the rest of the tour was cancelled for the virus. Everyone cheered and were very attentive and appreciative for their dedication in these scary times. They played passionately to distract from the fear our world is in right now. They were also receptive to people talking to them from the crowd, even when a patron asked to take a flashing snap of them for Snapchat. 

The set ended in an hour and that was it. I felt disappointed for them (not for their performance!) but to see a budding group who was excited to play on new land for new faces, only to be cancelled and play in front of 40 people. Despite those circumstances, I think they really enjoyed playing in front of anyone, and didn't let their energy die. They too appreciated anyone from the other side of their earth coming around to see them. Although obviously their energy would have been higher back home where they have a fanbase, have toured extensively in Europe, and been on numerous radio shows.

In these scary times, I wish music could keep up together at shows, but even those are tarnished by what's going on. The least we can do I support online and through merch. Check out Larkins' lastest EP Hit and Run on Spotify.