It has been a pleasure following the career of Toronto’s Serena Ryder. A multiple time Juno award winner whose received praise from icons like Melissa Etheridge, the last few years has seen Ryder receive an increase in radio play with songs like Stompa and Got Your Number. After a stellar performance at last summers Oxford Stomp, Ryder returned to Calgary February 18th for a headlining show to a packed audience.
Seeing Serena on the Jack Singer stage – a venue that has hosted so many incredible artists over the years – was a thrill for those that have watched her perform over the years. Touring in support of 2017’s Utopia album, Ryder appeared backlit singing a bluesy intro to a rousing version of Stompa which set the tone for the evening. Ryder is captivating to watch. It’s easy to forget that the youthful 35 year old has been doing this for over a decade, she’s become a compelling, seasoned performer who knows how to engage her audience both with banter between songs. Whether she strapped on a guitar, sat behind a keyboard or leading the audience in raising their hands like a revival preacher, she was a tour de force.
Her interaction with the audience was part of her charm. She encouraged dancing, singing, and even brought a young girl on stage to dance during Ice Age. Late in the set she sat on the edge of the stage, touching hands and making eye contact with the first few rows. The setlist focused primarily on her most recent Utopia and Harmony albums. She dipped back to her early days and 2007’s If Your Memory Serves You Well for acoustic versions of Leonard Cohen’s Sisters of Mercy and the always gorgeous Weak In The Knees. Unfortunately, nothing from 2008’s Is It Ok made it into the set. It’s one of my favourite albums and for long time fans of Ryder, it was definitely missed.
What was delivered however was stellar. A beautiful sing along version of It’s No Mistake, the fast paced Got Your Number and set ending Electric Love were all highlights. At 80 minutes however, the concert was criminally short. A track from 1999’s Falling Out for fans, or some songs from the aforementioned Is It OK could have filled out the night and really given a fuller experience to fans.
Serena Ryder is arguably one of the best Canadian singer-songwriters of the current generation. She’s truly the all-round package. This show won’t be her last here, and I look forward to many more concerts and albums to come.
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Contributor Jason Clevett |
Locale Calgary |
Person Serena Ryder |
Topic Concert Review |
