In downtown Toronto, September 12th ushered in a Friday night rock show that was high-octane from start to finish. The Concert Hall (still affectionally referred to as “The Masonic Temple” by some) housed a classic combo of two openers to set up a killer headliner, all of which hailed from places across the country. It was a show that would make any Canadian rock fan proud of how much talent the true north can export and it was all there for ticket holders to enjoy.
Up first, we start in the Maritimes with Brutal Youth – a band who have roots in St. Johns, NL but have moved to Toronto and have made splashes in both scenes ever since. This wrecking crew either reminds you what punk shows are all about or be the one to set the bar for how good punk shows should be in general. They used to pride themselves with . Nonetheless, all of the tracks had all of the punch and explosiveness you need along with lots of messaging and character that really highlights what the band is all about. Even with lineup changes here and there, vocalist Patty O’Lantern and Bassist “Molotov” Kyle Hynes continue being the glue that keep this boat chugging along. The tight instrumentalism in general including Kyle’s satisfying bass tone complimented by Patty’s high-flying energy, it’s not hard to find yourself showing up to more shows. If you like your punk rock no holds barred, check these dudes out.
From there, we stay local to Toronto with hometown heroes, The OBGMs – a tight knit 4-piece that has punk shows down to a science. Today was particularly a special one for the band with their drummer Colanthony “Cola” Humphrey choosing to spend his birthday showing off his chops behind the kit. Funny enough, their bassist Joe Brosnan also had his own birthday just two days before and so this performance sort of kills two birds with one stone when it comes to the band celebrating just doing what they do best. With their tenure spanning all the back to 2007, they’ve also gained quite a following especially in the Toronto scene, even getting shortlisted for a Polaris Music Prize back in 2021 and again this year for their third and latest album Sorry, It’s Over for their unapologetically refreshing yet familiar approach to punk music. The entire band also exudes confidence on the stage to the point that once they’re in this pocket, this is where they are comfortable, where they thrive, and it’s one of the best parts to witness in their performances. All of this energy translates into their crowd work as well. With frontman Densil McFarlane at the helm, he made absolutely sure that everyone in the room was always engaged – moving in unison with the audience left and right, dedicating a song to a crowd member’s ex, and even jumping past the barrier to get the crowd low, jumping, and moshing throughout the set. A true masterclass in not only making sure the crowd is part of the fun AND of the music but also that the show was one they wouldn’t forget.
Finally, we move West to Manitoba to welcome punk pioneers Propagandhi – the final quartet to enter the arena to cap off an already great show as they work through the tail end of their 2025 tour. If Brutal Youth kicked the door open, then The OBGMs crashed through the roof with no apologies. Either way, the headlining band had options when it comes to how they want to enter the stage. Of course, Propagandhi took to the spotlight like professionals that have clocked in more than their fair share of hours into the game because simply put, that’s exactly the case! Having started in 1986 by guitarist Chris Hannah and drummer Jord Samolesky, fans had nothing but excitement for how the band was going to approach their catalogue. I think people were more than satisfied because it felt like one of those rare shows where a band balances their legacy with the thrill of the unexpected. Anyone who’s seen them in the past decade knows you’ll get a mix of Victory Lap-era material and the classics, but this setlist definitely carved out its own place in Propagandhi history.
They kicked off with Victory Lap, which has basically become their go-to opener in recent years. A song that’s sharp, fast, and sets the political stakes for the night. From there, they tore through At Peace and Night Letters, songs that show just how strong their late-career catalog really is. Compared to their 2022–23 shows, where the focus was often heavier on Failed States material, Toronto’s set leaned harder into deep cuts and surprises.
The biggest jaw-dropper was Benito’s Earlier Work, played live for the very first time. Propagandhi aren’t a band that debuts songs casually, so it immediately made this night one for the books. And then came The Banger’s Embrace — the first time they’d played it since 2017. For fans who’ve been following their recent tours, those two songs alone made the Toronto show stand apart from, say, their Winnipeg or U.S. dates, where the setlists leaned safer.
They also kept their crowd-engagement streak alive. Letting the audience pick between Note to Self and Dear Coach’s Corner gave the night that spontaneous, anything-can-happen feel. Toronto went for Coach’s Corner, and the room exploded. It was truly a reminder of how tightly this city connects with the band’s hockey-baiting sense of humour.
Of course, the anchors were there too: Nation-States, Fascist, Motor League. These songs still hold up live very well and refreshingly, they’ve taken on a new meaning with today’s political climate, making the band’s messages feel as urgent in 2025 as they did in the 90s. Closing with Back to the Motor League felt like the perfect reminder too that perhaps Propagandhi shows aren’t about reliving old glory but about re-arming yourself for the world outside. A band that was doing Rage Against Machine before their fruition.
Looking at the bigger picture, this Toronto set showed how Propagandhi are willing to take risks even deep into their career. Where some bands fall into rigid “festival setlist” mode, Propagandhi are still debuting songs, dusting off rarities, and letting the crowd steer at times. Compared to their recent tours, September 12 was one of those shows fans will be talking about for years. Typically, the unexpected is a bonus, but on that night, it was the main event.
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