Critical Zero

We've been fans of The Buttertones for a long time, and when we got the Bandsintown notification that they were going to be performing in Toronto, we immediately knew we had to cover the event. We had been counting down the days for this show, and before we knew it, the day arrived—we were going to see The Buttertones! The show was at Adelaide Hall, and it was our first time there. What a lovely place! The vibe, ambience, staff, and layout of the venue make it a very intimate setting, it feels like you're part of the band while watching.

The first band kicked off, an amazing guitar/vocals and drums duo from Arizona called New Misphoria. This was their first time playing outside of the country, and we gave them a big welcome—people really loved the music. How could they not, though? The band had everything, from falsetto vocals to rowdy and grungy parts; it was honestly amazing to watch. As a guitar geek, it was such a treat to watch the guitarist play in a style I’d never seen before—she was playing bass notes with her thumb while also playing full chords. It was rad! They definitely left it all on the stage, from dropping to the floor to smashing the drums with their hands. This is a band we'd see again in a heartbeat. Their set ended, and it was time for The Buttertones.

The Buttertones took the stage under eerie dark red lights, immediately stunning us with their commanding stage presence and big sound. We were standing right by the guitar amp, and when we say the tone was incredible, we mean it. In fact, the entire band was on point, with each instrument contributing to their versatile dynamic range. The band mentioned that they had to rework some songs just for this show because their saxophone player had issues crossing the Canadian border. It made the show feel unique, and now everyone who saw them will have to catch them again with the full band the next time they play in Toronto.

The setlist included unreleased gems from their upcoming album (which sounds amazing, by the way), old favorites, and everything in between. The crowd danced, and there was even a mosh pit during the last song. Toronto welcomed them with a packed room and lots of cheers, especially during "Orpheus Under The Influence," when we all sang along to every word. If you told us this band had been around for 25+ years, we’d believe you—that's how tight they are. The Buttertones are masters of their craft, and it is a true treat to see them perform live. If you haven't seen them live before, do it ASAP. Thank you to the band, their management, and MRG Live for the opportunity to cover and photograph this event.