SPILL LIVE REVIEW: JULY TALK w/ GAY NINETIES @ THE PALACE THEATRE, CALGARY (AB)

JULY TALK w/ GAY NINETIES

@ THE PALACE THEATRE, CALGARY (AB)

MARCH 17, 2026

Canadian alternative rock icons July Talk have been touring across the country to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their highly adored and critically acclaimed second album, Touch. In addition to the Touch X Tour, July Talk is releasing a double album, titled Touch X, featuring new recordings of the album, and Love’s Not Dead, which is a previously unreleased album. The Touch X Tour sees the band performing the entire Touch album, along with some of their most well-known songs. Their exhilarating performance in Calgary at The Palace Theatre on Saint Patrick’s Day was a night to remember.

Gay Nineties opened the night with an incredibly captivating and fun set of glam rock, new wave, and power pop. Lead singer Parker Bossley’s voice was amazing with “Hold Your Fire” being a main standout. The best song of the Gay Nineties set was “Letterman.” It has some wonderful hooks, punchy guitar riffs, and powerful vocals from Bossley. Another standout song was their new single “Internet, Sex & Drugs,” which features a dreamy ‘80s atmosphere and a catchy chorus.

July Talk delivered a powerhouse set and were firing on all cylinders the entire night. Lead vocalists Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay Goldstein are a dynamite duo. Their voices were absolutely unreal. Do yourself a favour and see July Talk live to see just how fantastic they are.

July Talk did a perfect job performing the entirety of Touch. Of course, the goth-tinged dance rocker “Picturing Love” was one of the main highlights. July Talk flawlessly captured the song’s attitude, charm, energy, and sound. “Push + Pull” and “Johnny + Mary” were outrageously good live. Both are hard-hitting anthemic bangers that had the crowd going nuts. The haunting atmosphere, mysterious, brooding instrumentation, and lovely vocal interplay between Dreimanis and Goldstein in “Strange Habit” was mesmerizing. Hearing the new song “Love’s Not Dead” live was amazing. It is bound to become a fan favourite at future July Talk shows. My favourite song of the night (and one of my favourite songs I have ever heard live) was “Touch.” Everything about it was immaculate. It is a slow burner of a song that thunderously ignites into something completely cathartic and spellbinding. Dreimanis and Goldstein’s vocals were A+, and the instrumentation and atmosphere were very immersive.

July Talk also played many of their hit songs that were not on Touch. Their mesmerizing performance of “Guns + Ammunition” had the entire place rocking out due to Dreimanis’ powerfully intoxicating voice (especially during the outro), the electrifying energy, hard rock swagger, and thrilling bluesy guitar riffs. The extremely groovy synth driven “I Am Water” was another standout, featuring hypnotic earworm melodies and a great driving bassline. The explosive headbanger “The Garden” had everyone stomping their feet to the song’s thunderous rhythm. Lastly, “Paper Girl” sounded terrific live, especially the vocal interplay between Dreimanis and Goldstein.

Overall, July Talk put on a magnificent show, and these upcoming shows are a must-watch, especially for fans who want to hear the entirety of their beloved 2016 album, Touch.

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July Talk Links

Gay Nineties Links

Background Photo Credit: Calm Elliott-Armstrong