On a sultry Tuesday summer night, the Canopy Club in Urbana witnessed a dynamic display of Canadian indie rock prowess in the form of Peach Pit and Babe Corner. It was an evening filled with raw emotions, stellar performances, and a sense of camaraderie that only a passionate, shared love for music can bring. And judging by the sold-out, packed-like-sardines crowd, Champaign-Urbana had been thirsting for it.
Kicking off the night was Babe Corner, an all-female indie rock band hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia. Walking onto the dimly lit stage, they immediately established a vibe akin to watching a grunge band perform in a friend’s garage – intimate, nostalgic, and intriguing. Their sound was a melodic fusion of gritty guitar lines, shimmering synth overlays, and multi-layered harmonies that gave the feeling of being transported back to the 90s, a time when bands like Veruca Salt were ruling the airwaves.
Their musical style was unique yet familiar, reminiscent of The Jesus and Mary Chain but with a sunnier, more indie disposition. Their songs showcased their ability to blend the right amount of edge with ethereal soundscapes. However, the band’s occasional deviation from pitch left some audience members questioning if it was a purposeful artistic choice or just an overlooked flaw.
Despite this, the crowd seemed taken with Babe Corner’s nostalgic charm. Their slower-tempo songs, punctuated by moments of cathartic release, held the audience in a mesmerizing sway, gearing them up perfectly for the main act of the night.
Peach Pit, also from Vancouver, took to the stage right on time at 9 p.m., opening with a thrash metal intro that shook the venue to its core. Lead singer, Neil Smith, committed to amping the crowd to eleven before the show even got off the ground, dove into the audience in the midst of the metal riffs his band opened the show with. This was a stark contrast to the “chewed bubblegum pop” the band is known for, but it served as a head-turning opener that effectively roused the crowd’s energy. Peach Pit’s sound is an amalgamation of melancholic pop, surf rock, and introspective indie rock, resulting in an eclectic mix that resonates with a diverse demographic.
The band dove into their set with songs like ‘Being So Normal’ and “Vickie”. The latter is a catchy, 50s-pop inspired track that details an imaginative, neighborly life with lead vocalist Smith’s friend Vickie. It was easy to get lost in the music as the crowd sang along and the backdrop behind the band, a psychedelic Peach Pit logo, morphed in time with the tunes, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that echoed the band’s surreal sonic narratives.
The night was a roller coaster of emotions and energy, with highlights including an electrifying guitar solo during “Drop The Guillotine” that ignited the crowd, and the infectious energy of “Alrighty Aphrodite”, which saw Smith shedding his guitar to engage more intimately with the audience. His lyrics, filled with tales of love, regret, and existential dread, struck a chord with everyone in the room, making each song feel like a shared experience.
Their 18-song set, featuring favorites like “Peach Pit” and “Black Licorice”, was an emotional journey that beautifully captured the essence of the band. The songs were as varied as they were engrossing, from the heart-wrenching honesty of “Give Up Baby Go” to the feel-good rhythm of “Sweet FA”’. Each track stood out, displaying the band’s aptitude for crafting complex, captivating narratives through their music.
The night concluded on a high note with a performance of fan-favorite “Shampoo Bottles” during the 3-song encore. This song, a poignant tale of post-breakup remnants, was received with a heartfelt sing-along from the audience that echoed through the venue long after the band had left the stage.
This concert was not only a testament to the resilience and relevance of indie rock but also an affirmation of the potential of the Canopy Club as a stronghold for indie and rock music in Urbana. The presence of local rock personalities like Drew Cagle of Drew Cagle and The Reputation and Mollie Kruger of The Hangovers gave the night a sense of importance for the local music scene, further enhancing the sense of community.
At the end of the night, Peach Pit and Babe Corner delivered a raucous and unforgettable night of heartfelt performances, invigorating energy, and nostalgic charm. It was living proof that the Canopy Club can and should be a home for indie rock music, and a beacon of hope for the growing indie rock community in Champaign-Urbana. I eagerly anticipate what the future will bring to this vibrant venue and its patrons.
