SPILL LIVE REVIEW: SANTIGOLD @ REBEL, TORONTO

SANTIGOLD

@ REBEL, TORONTO

AUGUST 19, 2024

Philadelphia singer and songwriter Santigold filled Toronto’s largest nightclub, Rebel, with a cadence second to none.

Her angelic voice along with her powerful lyrics about spiritual-perseverance and the importance of connecting with something higher than oneself, created the perfect environment for a night of soul-searching and dance. She was joined on stage by a live drummer and guitar player, who earned their respective solos, but never could steal the spotlight from the main attraction.

Santigold started her set by walking out in a white wedding dress that doubled as an angel outfit. Though the stage design was minimal, the screen behind her featured surreal paintings and imagery that complemented the music’s eclectic mix of punk, reggae, and electronic influences. The visuals and fashion added an allure around her character, juxtaposed by her direct and striking vocals.

Santigold’s backup dancers also stole the show, mogging audience members in all-white outfits, sunglasses, wedding veils, and serious expressions on their faces. At certain points during the show, Santigold would be carried by these dancers to her spot on stage, adding a layer of dramatism to her otherwise intuitive lyrics.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Santigold’s artistic arsenal is her ability to interact with the audience. Midway through the performance, she brought audience members onto the stage to dance. This sense of community and shared experience is a hallmark of her live shows, making them not just performances, but events that resonate on a deeper, more personal level. She seemed to understand this, quickly picking up that most of the fans at the performance had been listening to her music since her 2008 debut album, Santogold.

It was a cold Monday evening, therefore drawing a smaller but more passionate crowd. Fans showcased their dedication by singing every lyric and throwing out random chants of “I love you” and other words of endearment.

Santigold ended her performance at around 9:45 PM. However, the crowd had not had enough. After furious chants of “encore” began to ring out, Santigold re-emerged along with her full supporting cast and dancers. She would go on to give the audience, who at this point were losing their shit, around three more songs before ending for the night. Hopefully, this proves what a force Santigold is.

(Photography by Arya Gunde)

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