Osheaga Review: Patrick’s Watson performance simply electrifying

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What an electrifying performance by Patrick Watson — it was beautiful. The Montreal-based artist was simply dazzling. He performed songs from his latest album, Love Songs for Robots. It was a perfect evening. It’s quite an experience to see outdoor shows. I am glad not to have missed such a fantastic moment.

I left the media space in a hurry not to miss the show. Under a sky recovering from the rain, on the Scène de la Rivière, I found Patrick Watson. While I had heard good reviews about him, it was my turn to confirm them.

Needless to say it was the highlight of my first day at Osheaga.

I was simply moved. It was mostly an instrumental performance or, at least, they were central to the show. Piano, guitar, bass, and violins made for a wonderful orchestration. I must add that Patrick Watson has a beautiful voice. It reminds me of David Gray or Iron & Wine. He made room for his two backup singers who both had beautiful voices as well. I noted the presence of the choir dressed in either red or black and composed of women and men. The harmonies were also beautiful. The blend of all these voices created an echo that still rings after the show.

This show also banked on a carefully orchestrated play of red, blue, and green light. There was a dramatic effect appropriate for the melancholic songs. Smoke punctuated the dramatic effect. I felt that with the light effects to support, these songs were coming to life before me.

Watson was spellbinding. He lived the songs. The guitar was unleashed. The musicians were swept into the vortex of music and the feelings that accompanies it. I saw myself away. Very far. On the road. Far from the loud crowd waiting impatiently for Weezer. Some spectators even shouted the name of the group and did not seem to pay attention to the gorgeous spectacle unfolding before their eyes. I do not know if I’m right about this, but the Montreal artist seemed exasperated by the attitude of the crowd that he struggled to warm up. He even left the stage before the end of the last song, leaving the choir finish it.

Then the lights went out. I had not stopped dreaming. I wanted to fly away for a few more minutes. But I heard you, Patrick Watson. During one hour, you brought me into your world to find my own constellations there. I could not have imagined a better way to finish the day. It was absolutely remarkable.