Senses Fail in Montréal

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Senses Fail in Montreal

Tuesday was anything but typical in Montreal this week as elder emos gathered at the Beanfield Theatre to celebrate two monumental anniversaries: the 20th anniversary of Let It Enfold You by New Jersey rock band Senses Fail, and the 25th anniversary of Saves The Day’s iconic album Through Being Cool. Joining them for the night, Dallas natives Narrow Head kicked off the show with a bang.

Narrowhead

The Dallas-based five-piece band proved to be the perfect openers for the evening. It was my first time seeing them live, and they didn’t disappoint. With their grungy punk rock sound and a wall of three guitarists, they set the tone for an unforgettable night. Though I initially thought I wasn’t familiar with their music, I quickly realized some of their songs were already lodged in my memory—likely from a random Spotify playlist.

Their smoky, atmospheric vocals paired with heart-wrenching guitar solos were a standout feature of their set. Narrow Head was a fantastic warm-up act, leaving the crowd energized and eager for more.

Saves The Day

I listen to these guys all the time—I’m pretty sure I have their entire discography on my Spotify—yet it still amazed me to realize just how long they’ve been around. The band celebrated 25 years of their seminal 1999 album Through Being Coolwith a high-energy performance that Montreal’s crowd wholeheartedly embraced.

Opening with fan favorites like “You Vandal” and “All-Star Me,” Saves The Day delivered a nostalgic punch that even had me singing along in the photo pit. The band played the entire Through Being Cool album, along with some extras, during a lengthy and satisfying 70-minute set.

This was their first Montreal appearance in eight years, and the crowd made it clear how much they’d been missed. Fun fact: Saves The Day toured Through Being Cool back in 1999 with a stop in Montreal. Their vibrant energy on stage, even after 25 years, was infectious. Here’s hoping they don’t wait another eight years to return.

Senses Fail

It’s hard to talk about emo and not mention Senses Fail. Montreal was lucky to host a stop on their Let It Enfold You 20th anniversary tour, and the band pulled out all the stops. Playing the album front to back, they proved they have no intention of slowing down after 23 years in the game.

Frontman Buddy Nielsen took the stage in a glittery shirt and pants, joking that he could dress “a little gayer” in Canada because of the country’s more accepting culture—a lighthearted remark that felt genuine and well-intentioned.

While some sound issues occasionally muddled Buddy’s vocals, the band still delivered a stellar performance, showing exactly why they’ve remained a cornerstone of the emo scene for over two decades.

Final Thoughts

This was easily one of my favorite shows of the year. Montreal’s elder emo community showed up in force, proving that the hunger for pop-punk and emo bands is alive and well in the city. Here’s hoping for more visits from these legendary acts and a steady stream of nostalgia-fueled concerts in the near future.

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