With her new self-titled album released last month (and newly on vinyl, too!) Skye Wallace returned to Vancouver to show off her new songs in front of a Tuesday-night crowd at the WISE Hall.

Opening the night was BB, a band I had been hearing about for a while, but hadn't had the chance to see perform yet, so I was glad they were supporting. The duo of Bella Bébé and Megan Magdalena took the stage in matching white gowns & boots, and launched into a highly energetic and rocking set. From chill, surf-rock vibes to venue-rattling screams, they drew the crowd in with songs like "Nu Blu" and "Drowning", both from their recently-released 7”. The pair also bantered between songs, more often than not seeming like they were just trying to make each other laugh, giving it a loose & comfortable feel.
Part way through the set they mentioned it was their last show for a while, as they'll be recording for the summer, so I am looking forward to hearing more from them in the future.

It wasn't long before Skye Wallace hit the stage, joined by some familiar faces in her backing band, including Jasper Sloan Yip. With a fan directly below her, blowing her hair wildly throughout the set, Skye & the band started off with, ironically, the last song on the album, the dark and moody "Suffering For You".
From there, the set ranged from the haunting "Stand Back" to the soaring "Death of Me", as Wallace spun stories based on Canadian history, including the powerful intensity of "Swing Batter" -- written about the 1911 trail of Angelina Napolitano. And while Skye focused on the recent release, she also slipped in some older tunes, like "Mean Song 2" and the burning hot "Scarlet Fever".
With a knowing wink, she "ended" the set with the frenetic "Coal In My Window" before returning moments later, alone at first, to play a band new song which she introduced as "almost" the first love song she's written. From there the band rejoined her for a couple more, ending the night in the most raucous way possible, with the frenzied "Blood Moon".

I’ve seen Skye Wallace play many times over the past six years or so, and I can easily say this was the best she’s ever been. That, combined with the strong new album, leave no doubt that she’s at the top of her game right now, and I’m already looking forward to hearing what’s next.

setlist
Suffering For You
There Is A Wall
Death of Me
Mean Song 2
Stronghold
Scarlet Fever
Swing Batter
Always Sleep With A Knife
Body Lights The Way
Coal in my Window
(encore)
[New Song]
Stand Back
Blood Moon