Stopping by Toronto at the half way point of their 26 show stint across North America, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets gave everyone exactly what they needed on one of the first warm Canadian Wednesdays of the year. Originally slated to play the smaller Opera House, a last minute upgrade to the Phoenix Concert Theatre resulted in their largest Canadian show to date and they made sure to deliver.
Warming up the crowd tonight was the brilliant four piece psych rockers from Portland Oregon, Spoon Benders. It didn’t take long to realize we were witnessing a big name in a small venue.
Guitar solos sprinkled everywhere had everyone transformed into bobble-heads as they cycled through tracks from their small but mighty discography. Every song sounded like it could be a lead single. Closing with “Nation” off their first LP Dura Mater was a great choice to cement them into the audience’s memory. They are definitely a band to keep an eye on.
Next up was the moment we had all been waiting for. Two crisp white spotlights shining on a stool at the front of the stage. On it, Rodney, a two inch tall plastic tortoise glistening as he sings Puccinis “Nessun Dorma”. Such an angelic voice. And a perfect way to introduce the Leederville boys to the stage.
Kicking things off with “Tally-Ho” set the scene for what we could expect over the next 80 minutes. Weaving their way through their back catalogue, the set-list was a well-balanced and energetic feast.
Biggest mosh for the night goes to “Bills Mandolin” nicely placed before a string of High Visceral (Part 2) tracks including a dedication to people having work in the morning, “Ergophobia” which was swapped out for “Acid Dent” a few nights back at their Montreal show.
Trying to cram as much as possible into their set, the boys weren’t too chatty but were clearly having a great time on their third visit to Toronto. Jack McEwan checked in with us every so often giving the pit a chance to catch their breath and find their shoes. Missing from todays lineup was bassist Wayan but we were lucky enough to have Jamie Reynolds from the UK stepping in. “Cubensis Lenses” followed by “Hot! Heat! Wow! Hot!” rounded out the main set with everyone wanting a little bit more. We got the tastiest dessert you could ask for with the catchy “Cornflake” and a side of “Hymn For A Droid”.
Next up for the Crumpets are a few more US shows and a quick stop over in Vancouver before heading across the pond for nearly two months in Europe. Exciting news just announced that one of those European stops will be at the iconic Glastonbury Festival. It is great to see Australian bands making such a strong impact across the globe.
Setlist
Tally-Ho
(I’m A Kadaver) Alakazam
Surf’s Up
Mundingus
Nootmare (K-I-L-L-I-N-G) Meow!
Lava Lamp Pisco
Bill’s Mandolin
Ergophobia
November
Gurzle
Found God In A Tomato
Dilemma Us From Evil
Cubensis Lenses
Hot! Heat! Wow! Hot!
– – –
Cornflake
Hymn For A Droid
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
For full dates and details head to https://www.psychedelicporncrumpets.com/
Photos were taken by the author at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on 15th May 2024, where the gig was also reviewed.
Find the full photo gallery HERE.
Remaining US/Canada Tour Dates:
17TH MAY – BEACHLAND BALLROOM, CLEVELAND, OH – W/SPOON BENDERS – SOLD OUT
18TH MAY – METRO, CHICAGO, IL – W/SPOON BENDERS – TICKETS
19TH MAY – FINE LINE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN – W/SPOON BENDERS – TICKETS
21ST MAY – GOTHIC THEATRE, DENVER, CO – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – SOLD OUT
22ND MAY – METRO MUSIC HALL, SALT LAKE CITY, UT – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – TICKETS
24TH MAY – THE SHOWBOX, SEATTLE, WA – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – TICKETS
25TH MAY – RICKSHAW THEATRE, VANCOUVER, BC – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – SOLD OUT
26TH MAY – WONDER BALLROOM, PORTLAND, OR – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – TICKETS
28TH MAY – INDEPENDENT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – TICKETS
29TH MAY – INDEPENDENT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – SOLD OUT
30TH MAY – THE FONDA, LOS ANGELES, CA – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – TICKETS
31ST MAY – MUSIC BOX, SAN DIEGO, CA – W/SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN – TICKETS
