LIVE REVIEW: Baroness at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Ontario on November 19, 2023
Photos and Review by: Erlisa Muharremi
Author’s Instagram: erlisamphoto
Lineup: Baroness, Spotlights
Date: November 19th, 2023
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I’ll start this off with two words; Baroness rules. After their new album release and tour announcements back in June, I’ve impatiently waited for the day they’d finally play Toronto, and mere words cannot explain how cathartic and electrifying seeing them perform was. Between the emotion John Dyer Baizley emits through his voice, the intricacies of Nick Jost’s basswork, Sebastian Thomson’s tight and eclectic drumming and Gina Gleason’s sheer guitar prowess, Baroness’ talent flows like a sweet stream into every alcove of every venue they play.
Along with the Sweet Oblivion Tour, Baroness also announced some dates for their acoustic record store shows, and I was lucky to have them play a set at my favourite record store in the city, Sonic Boom. Since it was my first time seeing Baroness, I decided to go big or go home and attend both shows – and I am beyond glad I did. It’s imminent that Gina and John were destined to play together, as seeing them perform with just two guitars and their voices in an intimate space was magical; the way they communicate through simple looks at one another was incredible to watch. They even played Tourniquet, a power ballad they sparingly play during this tour, which was beautiful to experience. After their show they did a short signing session, and I was able to have a short exchange with Gina which was the cherry on top. She was absolutely lovely!
Because of my great experience at the in-store show, my excitement had now grown tenfold for the concert. Hosted by Danforth Music Hall, and along with heavy sludge-doom opening band Spotlights, Baroness blew the roof off the venue as soon as they walked out onto the stage. Starting the night with Last Word, the crowd sang along passionately, and erupted into a roar during the epic guitar solo that knocked everyone’s socks off. My favourite songs of the night were Shock Me and March to the Sea, two songs that are constantly stuck in my head. Just when I thought those songs couldn’t get any better, seeing them performed live felt like an out-of-body experience. They even debuted a song not yet played on this tour, Eula, from their “Yellow” album. An epic opening song calls for an equally epic closer, and Take My Bones Away was the perfect choice to mark the end of an emotionally explosive show, and in my case, to wrap up a long but enjoyable day of rocking out to one of my favourite bands.
Overall, if I had to rate this show, it would break the scale. Baroness is a band that I cannot recommend enough, and a band that constantly surpasses all expectations. They are currently on the last leg of their Sweet Oblivion tour, celebrating their new album “Stone”, and if I could attend every show left, I would. This may be the first time I’ll see Baroness, but absolutely not the last. I wish them the best of luck on the rest of their tour!
