WIARDA and Myles From Home: A Night of Feel Goods
WIARDA frontwoman, Natalie Wiarda, at The Fox Cabaret. Photo by Kelli Rothwell @kellirp
Words by Hollie McGowan
It's been a rough few years for live performance, but for local East Vancouver bands WIARDA and Myles From Home, the better half of 2022 has been the electrifying re-emergence that we’ve all been waiting for.
On Friday October 7th at The Fox Cabaret, the crowd piled into the venue ready to experience some homegrown funky folk-rock for the soul. Taking to the stage first, Myles From Home warmed up the audience with their signature laid-back alt-country reminiscent of Uncle Tupelo and Kurt Vile. Beginning with their tune ‘Life In The Sun’, the night was set for an evening of good vibes.
Taking the energy up a notch after the opener, Myles From Home got the crowd moving closer to the stage and onto the dancefloor with tunes such as “Full Flower Moon”, “Don’t Get on the Train”, and “Molly Doesn’t Move”. Throughout the set, each song was introduced with its individual inspirational themes such as dating women who are into astronomy and uncomfortable moments involving sex videos. Myles From Home were not only a pleasant start to the night, but provided some comedy for a good belly laugh.
Myles From Home at The Fox Cabaret. Photo by Kelli Rothwell @kellirp
Next up, WIARDA gave their most powerful performance to date. Starting with their latest single, “Tantrum”, the emerging East Van band eased into the night with a now packed venue ready to dance the night away. Next up they moved into their more commonly known song, “Maybe” which solidified the energy in the room. For the remainder of the evening, the audience and WIARDA were joined at the hip with frontwoman, Natalie Wiarda, erupting onstage, bringing her performance to the next level.
For their closing song, Wiarda invites the crowd to get weird on the dancefloor with their tune “Move Just A Little” before making a cheeky blend into Alanis Morisette’s classic 90s hit, “One Hand In My Pocket”. Audience members reacted accordingly whenever hearing a genre defining favorite by cheering and then joining in for a sing-along. The moment was one for the books for WIARDA and their fans, especially considering one of Wiarda’s main influences, the master behind Jagged Little Pill herself.
As they exited, the crowd called WIARDA back for an encore for which they were joined by Myles From Home. For the grand finale, the evening’s line-up of talent stood together on stage to take their much deserved bow.