Captivating Harmonies: Quinnie and The Japanese House Leave Toronto Spellbound
Photo: Steve St. Jean
It's officially December, bringing a blanket of perpetual darkness and a deep chill in Toronto. Fans shivered as they patiently went through security at Danforth Music Hall, anticipating The Japanese House (a.k.a. Amber Bain) and her sold-out North American tour. Bain is touring in support of her critically acclaimed sophomore album, In the End It Always Does, via Dirty Hit, bringing her emotionally charged but remarkably danceable tracks to life in Toronto.
New Jersey's Quinnie, the 22-year-old folk artist, followed the first opener of the night, Ally Evenson. Her set was intimate, with Quinnie and her guitarists seated on stage performing a range of tracks, mostly from her debut album flounder, released earlier this year. Each song was accompanied by personal storytelling and background on each track, such as where it was written, why, and what the songs meant to her. Guitarists Hudson Pollock and Jake Weinberg shined with their intricate guitar playing and backing vocals, making Quinnie's songs feel massive at times. Quinnie was powerful on stage as she commanded attention through her subtleties and the space she created in her songs but also in between songs. Fans lit up with smiles every time she spoke; it was a spectacle to see, and she converted me into a full-on fan.
Next up was The Japanese House, the main reason Danforth Music Hall was packed.
Bain's arrival on stage was greeted by a wave of applause and a surge of energy from the eager crowd. The atmosphere instantly transformed as she started the show, creating an otherworldly ambiance. Bathed in dreamy, iridescent lights that complemented the sonic journey she curated, The Japanese House transported the audience into a realm where emotional depth and danceability effortlessly coexisted.
The stage setup was minimalistic yet practical, allowing Bain's music to take center stage. With every strum of the guitar and every beat of the drum, the venue pulsed with a rhythm that invited concert-goers to lose themselves in the music. The fusion of electronic elements and live instrumentation showcased the artist's versatility.
Throughout the performance, Bain's connection with the audience was undeniable, as she drew everyone into her world with each heartfelt lyric and melodic progression. Tracks like "Something Has to Change" and "Maybe You're the Reason" elicited a euphoric response, with fans swaying and dancing in unison.
Drawing from her collaborations with The 1975's Matt Healy and George Daniel, Bain's set exuded an unmistakable pop sensibility with a seamless integration of catchy hooks and introspective lyrics, made for a dynamic experience, where the reflective nature of her songs didn't hinder their dancefloor appeal.
Bain's spellbinding performance in Toronto was a testament to her artistry, transcending boundaries and leaving the audience in awe and yearning for more—a true testament to her prowess as an artist.
PHOTO GALLERIES
THE JAPANESE HOUSE
QUINNIE
THE JAPANESE HOUSE SETLIST:
Sad to Breath
Touching Yourself
Something Has to Change
Morning Pages
Follow My Girl
Saw You in a Dream
Boyhood
You Seemed So Happy
Baby goes again
Over There
Friends
Worms
Chewing Cotton Wool
Maybe You're the Reason
Dionne
One for sorrow, two for Joni Jones
Sunshine Baby
Relive the setlist with our Imminence playlist below: