We’ve seen so many bands in Toronto at various venues, but there was always one band we hadn’t been able to catch—one of our favourite bands from the city: Wine Lips. We’ve been listening to Wine Lips for a while now, ever since “Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party” was released, and we immediately became fans. Wine Lips have been featured in our single spotlights on our website, but we hadn’t seen them live in person. That all changed on Friday, December 13th. Wine Lips were scheduled to end their year with a banger Friday/Saturday double header at the Velvet Underground after a massive 2024 that took them all over Europe and North America.

Their venue of choice was the Velvet Underground, close to venues we love, like The Bovine Sex Club, The Cameron House, and many more. We made a quick pit stop at our favourite taco spot, Tacos Moras, had some drinks at The Dime, and made our way to the show. It was a cold night, but that didn’t stop us or the 400+ other people who packed the venue. We were immediately greeted by friendly staff who made sure we were all set to photograph, and we saw so many familiar faces. There were many photographers from the scene, friends, and bands we love. It felt like a big reunion, and it wasn’t just us—many of the people there were reconnecting with friends. It was a true gathering. It was the type of event you would make instant friends in the bathroom. Vibe was on point.

The night kicked off with Shrewd, who immediately drew the crowd towards the front of the stage, setting off dancing and moshing. They powered through a 30-minute set without stopping—song after song of pure power and punk rock energy. Being the opening band at a show like this can be intimidating, but Shrewd absolutely nailed it and sent the room into a frenzy. We love them!

Sham Family took the stage shortly afterward. We hadn’t heard much of their music before the show, but we instantly became fans. Their set was heavy, full of attitude, and gritty AF. They didn’t just deliver heavy, sludgy tones—they brought ambiance and a wide variety of songs, from pop-punk to shoe gaze, to doom/sludge. There were so many highlights in their set, but our absolute favourite moment was during the last song. The guitarist picked up the mic and moved to the front of the stage, hitting his guitar with it, while the singer slammed his own guitar on the ground as the lights flashed. Thankfully, it was a Strat-style guitar that is built like a brick and took the slam like a champ. Just like that, Sham Family was off stage, and it was time for the headliners: Wine Lips.

The stage filled with fog, the floodlights came on, and Wine Lips finally took the stage. The room absolutely exploded as people immediately started moshing, crowd-surfing, dancing, and going crazy—just how we like it. They played their longest set yet (according to a member of their team), with around 20+ songs. We were too busy moshing and taking photos to keep track of everything happening. They played nearly their entire catalog, and the crowd sang along to every single lyric. Have you ever seen those documentaries about the ’80s punk scene? That’s what this show felt like—it was an old-school, power-punk night. Their tones, performance, and professionalism made it feel like we were watching an arena show in an intimate setting. Wine Lips bring such a dynamic energy that you never feel tired, and we were left immediately craving more. One of the many highlights of the night was the mosh pit. It was one of the nicest pits we’ve ever been in—people were always watching out for each other, catching crowd-surfers, and most importantly, keeping everyone safe.

When Wine Lips come to your town, you absolutely have to see them—it’s an unforgettable experience. Huge thanks to Stomp Records and Wine Lips for having us, to the venue for being so welcoming, to the photographers, and to everyone who helped make this night one for the books. We love live music!