SPILL LIVE REVIEW: JOHN FAMOS @ REID'S DISTILLERY, TORONTO

JOHN FAMOS

@ REID’S DISTILLERY, TORONTO

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Saturday night, at Reid’s Distillery, Toronto’s hidden Gem “John Famos” served their crowd with a raw performance of the bittersweetness and nostalgia that they so effortlessly capture in their music.

Walking into the venue, people were instilled with a sense of confusion. The abstract chandeliers carrying dim lighting, the elegant bar, the cozy couches. This place was way too nice for an indie rock show – let alone an enjoyable one. What an embarrassingly incorrect opinion that was. The way John Famos gets so personal with the audience, any preexisting biases about the unsettling formality of the venue fizzles out in the blink of an eye. That being said, the venue choice made so much sense when the band explained their history with Reid’s Distillery. About five years ago, they debuted their music video for “Mid20s”, their first song, in that very same venue. The sentimentality of the story really just let the audience know that they were part of the John Famos journey. These guys really just wanted to party, and that’s exactly what they did.

“Get closer, get drunker”. That’s all that the band asked of the audience, and that’s all that we could do. John Famos has this unique charm that translates impeccably to and from their music and leaves a vibrant mark on any first timers. With the lead singer locked into his character of Ken while including the audience with him and his Barbie’s banter, the guitarist as Austin Powers being so visibly attached to their songs, John Famos seamlessly created such a warm camaraderie for their audience last night.

Every attendee of tonight’s show is well aware that John Famos makes some mean tunes, but hearing these songs live makes you feel like you’re so desperately craving something that you can’t quite put your finger on. It’s the confrontational lyrics in “Victoria” that have you singing out, longing for no one in particular. The heartbreaking tones of the bass in “Summer Daze” that leave you aching for something you never had. The sonically tense pre-chorus of “For You” that makes you feel like you’re going into a violent confessional frenzy of everything you’ve ever tried to keep to yourself. As great as these songs are recorded, hearing them live leaves you with a taste of melancholy endearment that just can’t be presented beyond human interaction.

With their new EP In The Mood being teased at the show, the fans have no choice but to count down the days to its release and hope its accompanied by a surplus of live performances.