With her album Something Wicked coming this way soon, Skye Wallace kicked off her tour with something of a secret show in Vancouver, before touring the country to lead up to the album's release at the end of the month. The show took place at Another Space, an intimate artist space that's hosted Sofar Sounds shows in the past.

Skye played two sets with her band through the night, the first focusing on some older material that she may be "retiring" from playing live soon. Kicking off with the dark and haunting "Carry Our Son" the set went from there, living up to her Queen of Dark Folk moniker. "Ain't It Hell" bristled as the strings soared, and Skye's voice ripped through the powerful "Guiltiest Hymn". Her cover of "Lay Down In The Tall Grass" somehow managed to be as if not more creepy than the original by Timber Timbre, and finally the rollicking "Not Ready For This To Start" off the new album, ironically enough, ended the first set.
After a bit of an intermission Skye and the band was back with "Mean Song 2", the second set taking the energy up a notch with songs like the gritty and moody "Rumbling Soul" and the frantic bluesy "Blood Moon", my favourite off the new album. Skye brought the night to an end with the one-two combo of "Klondike" and that song's sequel "Scarlet Fever", combining to build to an intense climax.
But as the rapt crowd got out of their seats to cheer, Skye wasn't even able to leave the makeshift stage before playing one last song, as an encore, a cover of Dylan's "One More Cup Of Coffee"

I've always found Skye Wallace's music to be engaging, but it's her storytelling that makes the songs even more captivating, and when you have an intimate room of attentive people, it can really make a show special. (Even if there were a few times, especially towards the beginning, where the sound mix could have been better -- her vocals for example were a little low at times).
But that aside, I've had a sneak peek at her new album, and I would absolutely recommend picking up Wicked Things when it's out October 29, or especially seeing her if live if you have the chance.

setlist
Carry Our Son
Ain't It Hell
War Years
Dead Things pt 1
Middle Class Ontario
Guiltiest Hymn
Lay Down In The Tall Grass [Timber Timbre cover]
Not Ready For This To Start
(Intermission)
Mean Song 2
Stronghold
Works of Status
Rumbling Soul
Blood Moon
Dead Thing pt 2
Klondike
Scarlet Fever
(encore)
One More Cup Of Coffee [Bob Dylan cover]