I’d like to take a moment to sing the praises of the opening act.
You know, the ones you often don’t make it out in time to see … or possibly the ones you purposely skip because you might need a little more “me time” before the show. The ones you’ve never heard of before, so you figure it’s no big deal if you show up a little later.
Whatever the case, openers often find themselves playing to a much smaller crowd than the headlining act. But for those who manage to get to the venue on time for the opener, you might just be pleasantly surprised. Such was the case this past Wednesday when Meels took to the stage at The Phoenix, opening for Margo Price.
“I’m so happy to be opening for Miss Margo Price on my first international show. Starting it off in Canada, baby!” said Meels (aka Amelia Einhorn) early on in her set, and though the crowd was perhaps a little sparse at the outset, her enthusiasm and charm as a performer had the audience on her side from the get-go.
Promoting her latest album, Across The Raccoon Strait, Meels and guitarist Jackson Craig played an even mix of songs off the new album, older tunes, and a few covers of some of her favourites – John Prine’s “Angel From Montogomery,” The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” and a version of Dolly Parton’s “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,” which saw Meels switching to banjo. She would stick with the banjo for the following tune, “The Wizard,” which I believe she said was the first song she ever wrote on the instrument. These covers were not only a nice nod to some of her influences (later at the merch table, I noticed her wearing a Prine-referencing button that read, “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore) but also, as she admitted, a bit of a ploy to get the audience singing along.
Meels would later return to the stage, banjo in hand, to join Margo Price and her band for a rousing rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm” to close out Price’s set. Having seen Price in concert before. I went in expecting a fantastic show and she did not disappoint. Newer tracks like “Don’t Wake Me Up” and “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” sounded great, as did older tracks like “Hurtin’ (on the Bottle). And her cover of Blaze Foley’s “Oval Room” (written about Ronald Reagan, but in Price’s hands, clearly directed at the current U.S. president) stood out as a highlight of the evening. We were even treated to a singalong of “Happy Birthday” in honour of guitarist Logan Ledger’s birthday – cake included.
So yes, Margo Price put on a solid performance, as expected. Meels, on the other hand, offered up the joy of unexpected discovery. And a reminder that if you get the chance, it might be a good idea to show up early for the opener.
