Ruby Waters (Montreal & Toronto).
Shot by: Sarah Evangelista & Nina Fedai
Written by: Sarah Evangelista & Nina Fedai
January 20th, & January 17th, 2023
Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz & Niagara, ON @ Warehouse
Nina and I caught Ruby Waters on tour recently, in Montreal and Toronto. Instead of having a review done by one person, we decided to collaborate on a piece.
Ruby Waters & Cam Kahin in Niagara, ON
Ruby Water’s Soaking Wet tour, featuring Cam Kahin, was my first concert of the year and honestly a great kick-off to 2023. The St.Catharines show took place at Warehouse – a small but charming concert hall in the heart of downtown St. Catharines.
I’ve watched Cam Kahin perform three times in the last year alone and I genuinely believe he gets better every single time. While their Toronto shows are always full of standout moments, I have to say they were particularly captivating at this show. Considering how small the Niagara population is, and how small-scale the venue was compared to their Toronto shows, I was in awe to watch how they were able to captivate and engage the audience. I have to add, however, hearing Cam perform “queen st” away from home felt especially nostalgic.
I came to watch Cam Kahin, but I stayed to watch Ruby Waters perform. While I’ll admit I wasn’t familiar with her music prior to the show, I left the night considering myself a fan. Of all the times I’ve been to Warehouse, this show was most definitely the most packed, with the best audience, and I understand why. Waters' set consisted of 18 songs, including 2 acoustic sets and an encore performance. Her voice has this raspiness that’s reminiscent to me of some of the greatest icons in past generations – her sound is timeless and I can see her talent transcending her years. From her voice to her stage presence, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and cannot wait to watch her grow.
Ruby Waters in Montreal, QC
If the long line outside the venue after doors opened wasn’t enough to tell you how anticipated and great this show would be, I don’t know what would. I’ve been to Bar Le Ritz countless of times, and have never seen the venue so packed.
Because of this, I sadly missed Aysanabee’s opening slot, but I have no doubt that he was nothing but spectacular. The Toronto based singer/songwriter was seen to be greeting fans and signing merch after his set, though, which is always great.
A few moments later, Waters’ band came on stage and next did herself. Throughout the show, the indie alt/rock princess played recently released songs like “Heather”, “Open Arms”, and even goodies such as “Quantum Psychics” and “Difficult” off of her 2020 project If It Comes Down To It. Fans seemed to have loved Waters’ and her bands’s performance, and I have no doubt that she’ll be playing an even bigger venue next time she’s in town.