Microtonal Mania: Angine de Poitrine’s Toronto Takeover at The Mod Club
Photo: Steve St. Jean
Saguenay, Quebec’s elusive wonders that have taken the world by storm, Angine de Poitrine, have been on an absolute tear touring non-stop, and Toronto recently got an extra dose of Khn and Klek with three sold-out nights at The Mod Club (not to mention the last-minute announcement closing out FIFA Fan Fest).
Since summer 2025, Angine de Poitrine have been touring relentlessly through Quebec with sold-out show after sold-out show. From festival appearances like Festival d'été de Québec and Le Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul to smaller club stops in Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski, they have been laying the groundwork in their home province. But once their live studio recording from Seattle’s KEXP dropped on February 5, 2026, it felt like the rotation of the Earth slipped off its axis.
Like many outside of Quebec, I got my first taste of the anonymous microtonal duo, Khn on guitar and bass and Klek on drums, through that KEXP video. I immediately became obsessed. The way the guitars looped, mixing guitar and bass, and the drums locking into these hypnotic, off-balance grooves felt unlike anything else. I quickly searched for tickets to see them live, but had no luck. Show after show was sold out across Quebec and Ottawa, and even trying to grab merch felt impossible.
Then a bit of luck turned my way. Angine de Poitrine announced a show at The Mod Club in Toronto (finally, home-field advantage!). Sold out. A second show got announced. Sold out. A third. Same story.
Then came the break. Jack White announced the opener for his Toronto show at RBC Amphitheatre, and there it was. Angine de Poitrine. I managed to get lawn tickets, and my fate was sealed. I was finally going to see this band live.
You might be thinking, you run a media publication, can’t you just get in as press? Well, it doesn’t always work like that. As an independent outlet in Toronto, you are going up against major publications for access, especially when an artist reaches this level of international demand. So I made the call to go as a fan for the amphitheatre show and keep hustling for media access to The Mod Club dates. Eventually, I got approval for the third and final night.
Photo: Steve St. Jean
Being at the Jack White show was special for a few reasons. First, Jack White himself was incredible. His set was tight, loud, and completely dialled in. Second, and more surprising, was the crowd. The amphitheatre was packed early with fans in polka dots, wearing Angine merch, fully engaged before the headliner even hit the stage. That kind of turnout for an opener says a lot.
Lastly, Jack uses Yondr to lock away phones. No screens, no distractions. It made a huge difference. You could feel the crowd actually present, taking everything in. Angine de Poitrine’s sound filled the space, making it feel bigger and more immersive. Those microtonal shifts, the tension in the guitar work, and the pulsing, repetitive drums all landed harder without a screen in front of you. It was an incredible first way to experience them, surrounded by fans smiling, dancing, and completely locked in.
Fast forward a few days, and I found myself at The Mod Club, but this show was a different beast.
It was a true sweaty club show. Fans packed into the small, dimly lit room, heat building quickly, anticipation even faster. Phones were back, but once the set started, it barely mattered. The energy took over.
If the amphitheatre show was impressive, this third and final night at The Mod Club was on another level. The second Khn and Klek stepped on stage, the room shifted. It felt like everyone was transported into a new dimension.
They ran through an eight-song setlist, pulling from their albums Vol. 1 and Vol. II, with tracks like “Tambesz,” “Sherpa,” “Sarniezz,” and the ultra-viral “Fabienk.” Live, the songs stretch out and breathe differently. The guitars feel more unstable (in a good way), almost warping in real time, while the drums drive everything forward with this relentless, trance-like pulse. It is chaotic, controlled, and completely addictive.
The setup was minimal. A polka-dot backdrop, a drum kit, and house LED lighting. Nothing over the top, because it didn’t need to be. Their iconic glowing papier-mâché masks and polka-dot-covered attire added just enough character without detracting from the performance.
Photo: Steve St. Jean
Fans left hot, sweaty, and beaming. It was difficult to find a flaw in the set. More than anything, it felt like witnessing a moment. A band breaking through on a global scale and proving they belong there.
Looking back, I can’t help but feel connected to what Angine de Poitrine are doing. Maybe it is my French-Canadian background, or the fact that I have been to Saguenay once (even if it was just for gas), or my yearly trips out to Quebec’s Côte-Nord. It is probably a mix of all of it. But it’s also pride. They are Canadian, and seeing the rest of the world latch onto something this creative and original means something.
When I wrote “one for the books” on our Angine de Poitrine Instagram post, I meant it. This is going down as a show to remember, and one of my favourite Beyond The Watch moments.
Check out all our concert photos from their set below.
J’adore Angine de Poitrine. Merci Khn & Klek.
CONCERT PHOTOS
SETLIST
Angor
Yor Zarad
Tamebsz
Mata Zyklek
Ababa Hotel
Sarniezz
Fabienk
Sherpa
Words & Photography by: Steve St. Jean
