I knew July Talk had exploded in popularity in the last couple years. Last year they sold out the Commodore and added a second show, but even still I was a little surprised when they announced a show at the Malkin Bowl. But, you know, good surprised.
And of course, I wasn't going to miss a change to see them, let alone at a beautiful venue in the middle of Stanley Park (which I hadn't seen a show at in some time), let alone with the band they had opening for them.

And that band was Vancouver's own The Zolas, frontman Zach Gray stating at one point during the set he had seem some amazing shows in the bowl, and was hoping this would rank among them. Starting with the fiery "Molotov Girls", a good portion of the crowd was clearly there to see the hometown band, or even just quickly won over. Highlights from the shorter set included "Get Dark" as the sun was setting on the park, one of my favourites from the new album "Male Gaze", and the insanely danceable combo of "Invisible" and "Swooner" which finished off the set. It's always great to see them play, and I think Malkin Bowl is maybe the one (non-arena) venue I hadn't already seen them live in this city.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' "Dig Lazarus Dig" filled the air as the five members of July Talk took the stage. Before they started, they did something that I'm not sure I've ever seen a band that isn't from Vancouver do; acknowledged they were playing on unceded First Nations territory, which got a respectful cheer from the sold out crowd.
Launching into a raucous set full of their gritty blues-tinged rock n roll, they kicked off with "Picturing Love" off their latest album Touch, for an hour plus that pulled from both that and their self-titled. The entire band has a great presence, but all eyes were on Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay. The two of them have an unparalleled chemistry, not just in the way their contrasting voices blend together, but how they play off each other. Fay especially is a dynamo, confidently moving around the stage, and even disappearing and (literally) popping up in the crowd.
A crowd that they had in the palms of their collective hands, singing along to songs like the explosive "Guns + Ammunition" and "Paper Girl". Other highlights included the sexually charged "Lola + Joseph", the frenetic "Summer Dress", and "Push + Pull" which ended the main set. But of course, they were quickly back out for just two more before the hard curfew of the park, with the simmering intensity of "Touch" and then one last rager (after a tease of some ZZ Top) "The Garden" to leave everyone spent.

Here's an interesting metric on how well the band connected with everyone: as people packed (and I mean barely-room-to-breathe packed) onto the only bus that leaves Stanley Park after the show, everyone was not only chattering about how much they loved the show, but also being very polite and cordial and cooperative to everyone for the next few stops. A bus trip like that could have led to spoiled moods or disgruntled riders, but the love that July Talk puts out through their music carried at least that busload of people home that night.

July Talk setlist
Picturing Love
Summer Dress
Now I Know
Gentleman
So Sorry
Headsick
Lola + Joseph
Strange Habit
Guns + Ammunition
Jesus Said So
Paper Girl
I've Rationed Well
Blood + Honey
My Neck
Beck + Call
Push + Pull
(encore)
Touch
The Garden

The Zolas setlist
Molotov Girls
Get Dark
Fell in Love With New York
Ancient Mars
Ultramarine
Male Gaze
Frida On The Mountain
Invisible
Swooner