Melbourne’s Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and their Triumphant Return to Toronto

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is one of the tightest live bands around.

Following an almost 2 year wait, the Melbourne quintet finally made their way back to Toronto, delivering a melodic setlist of jangling, effervescent rock and roll.

Kicking things off were high-energy versions of Air Conditioned Man and She’s There, songs (wisely chosen) that were perfectly built for playing to an in-person audience. Many of them featured extended, jamming guitar stretches with guitarists Joe White, Tom Russo, and Fran Keaney all shining at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern.

Melbourne’s Rolling Coastal Blackout Fever’s return to Toronto. Photo by Myles Herod

The atmosphere was charged by the band’s onstage electricity, playing cuts ranging from their first two EPs, Talk Tight and The French Press through songs such as ‘Cool Change’ and ‘Cars In Space’ from albums, Hope Downs , Sideways To New Italy, and their latest –  Endless Rooms.

Their sound permeated the room with its crisp, clean tones from beginning to end. Motorik drumming from Marcel Tussie and frenetic basslines from Joe Russo, never faltered, either.

After rounding off the set with an abundance of fan favourites, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever returned with their finest moment: A resounding version of ‘French Press’, offering up a guitar outro that lit up the audience, sending everyone home with smiles.

Myles Herod

Myles Herod

Traveller, image maker, pop-culture seeker, storyteller, a guy you want around when things go south. Tastes range from Kubrick to Krautrock, Wu-Tang to Wiseau. Currently resides in Toronto, Canada.
Myles Herod
Myles Herod

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