By Melanie Macpherson
Photos by Tracy Creighton (Copperblue Photography and Design)
The November air was crisp outside the Capitol Music Club as fans lined up for JJ Wilde’s sold-out show, their breath fogging up in the cold as they shuffled eagerly toward the entrance. With the warmth of the venue finally wrapping around them, the crowd’s excitement grew, buzzing with the promise of a powerful night of live music.
The evening opened with local favorites Seven Mile Sun, who delivered a fiery set. The band started with crowd-pleaser “Trigger Man,” setting the stage with an infectious energy that had people nodding and tapping along right from the start. A high point of their set was “Boy & The Queen,” where Kimberly Stevens took the lead, her voice carrying a strength and enthusiasm that resonated throughout the room. They closed with “Love Sails,” a soulful track that had the audience fully primed and ready for more.
Next up, the Canadian sister duo Fionn took the stage, bringing a mix of humor, harmonies, and charm. Their set featured some of their latest releases, including the introspective yet catchy “Snake Behaviour” and “I’m Bad at Being Casual,” both of which struck a chord with the crowd. Their harmonies truly shone when they performed The Cranberries’ “Dreams,” a tribute that had everyone singing along. By the end, Fionn had won over even those unfamiliar with their music, proving they were more than worthy of sharing the stage with JJ Wilde.
After a brief intermission, the lights dimmed, the smoke thickened, and JJ Wilde stepped onto the stage. Without missing a beat, she dove into “Cold Shoulder,” her voice gripping the crowd and setting the tone for a night of raw, uninhibited rock. From that moment, the Capitol Music Club was hers.
Wilde’s set flowed seamlessly as she moved through high-energy tracks like “Takes Me Back” and “Off The Rails,” each song showcasing her gritty vocals and fierce stage presence. The crowd was locked in, especially as Wilde dove into fan favorites like “State of Mind” and “I’m Not Crazy You’re Just an Asshole (Toxic),” her raw delivery underscoring the honesty of her lyrics.
The night hit a darker, more intense note with “Mercy,” a track that shows Wilde’s ability to tap into deep emotions and tell a story. The intensity of her performance had the crowd going wild in return; they were ‘ride or die’ with Wilde on this one.
Wilde then turned to her latest album, Vices, bringing a change of pace with “Arizona,” a song filled with reflective lyrics and a sense of freedom. With lines like “I feel lost, but I’m right on track,” Wilde captured the feeling of wandering but finding peace in the journey—a vibe that resonated deeply with the audience. Next came “Bushweed” and “Knees,” two tracks that showcased Wilde’s versatile range and her band’s tight musicianship.
When she performed “Hands,” the room’s temperature seemed to rise, and the crowd was captivated by the sultry vibe of this new song. Wilde’s stage presence was magnetic, and the chemistry between her and the audience was palpable, drawing everyone into the seductive beat and the song’s sensual lyrics.
After tearing through her set with unrelenting energy, Wilde wrapped up the main portion with “The Rush,” leaving the crowd clamoring for more. She returned to the stage for an encore with “Bad Side,” followed by “Best Boy,” leaving the crowd with one last taste of her unrelenting stage presence. Her gritty vocal power and the heart-pounding beat made it the perfect closing track, a sendoff that kept every eye glued to the stage until the final note.
For nearly two hours, Wilde and her band held the Capitol in a powerful grip of emotion, energy, and undeniable talent. For anyone lucky enough to be there, it was a show they wouldn’t soon forget—a masterclass in rock and a testament to Wilde’s fierce authenticity as a performer. Wilde’s show left the sold-out crowd buzzing from a night of unforgettable music. For those who missed it, this was one of those special shows where greatness can truly be experienced up close and personal.
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