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Texas King brought their Changes Tour to Club SAW Thursday night. When heading to a concert, I make a point of always catching the opening act and that’s how I discovered Texas King, when they opened for Big Wreck in 2019 at the Bronson Centre. Tonight’s show reinforced that point again, as the opening act Loviet was outstanding.
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Loviet is supporting her debut album 777. Her set was impressive, with infectiously catchy, well-crafted songs and a powerful voice to deliver them.
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Originally from Nova Scotia, and previously known by her given name Natalie Lynn, Loviet is now based in Toronto.
Photo: Marc Lepage/Apt613
Supported by Texas King drummer Melvin Murray, she played a dynamic set that was well-received by the crowd at Club SAW.
Photo: Marc Lepage/Apt613
Last night was the first stop of Texas King’s Changes Tour, in support of their recently released Changes EP.
Photo: Marc Lepage/Apt613
From London, Ontario, the band formed in 2013. When I first saw them as an opening act in 2019, I was immediately struck by their high level of energy and instantly memorable songs.
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Guitarist Colin Gray was all smiles all night, as he capably handled guitar and backing vocals.
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After tearing through the first couple of songs, lead vocalist Jordan Macdonald, exclaimed, “Now we’re starting to feel the rust shake off!” This was the band’s first indoor performance in quite some time, and they were clearly ecstatic to be sharing it with fans at Club SAW.
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Working together in the songwriting process, the band’s songs are well-written, with strong hooks, and each member playing exactly what’s needed to serve the song.
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One of the band’s new songs, “Small Towns”, starts off with a catchy bass hook from Phil Spina. Before starting the song, singer Jordan Macdonald explained, ”It was a crazy couple of years. We were having the time of our lives and then they said STOP!”
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Well warmed up from his set with opener Loviet, drummer Melvin Murray provided a dynamic foundation for the band’s set of old and new material.
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Tackling vocals and guitar, Jordan Macdonald is an enthusiastic frontman, with a voice that is instantly memorable. When he sings, both the lyrical content and the delivery resonate with the listener. He sings from the heart and it shows.
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“Are you guys listening to the new EP?” Jordan said as he surveyed the crowd, “Let’s get you guys jumping. Chug a beer, let’s jump!”
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Like all of us, COVID has impacted the band, and it is reflected in both the title of the Changes EP as well in the lyrical content of songs, such as the title track, when he proclaims, “I hope there is a healing, something coming right around the bend.” During the peak of COVID isolation, Jordan regularly jumped on Instagram Live to sing and interact with fans, which helped bring some sense of normalcy to people during those difficult times.
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For their encore, the band announced they would do their first new cover song in 5 years—Tom Petty’s, “I Won’t Back Down”, which was a fitting anthem for everyone who has struggled through the last year and a half.
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The Changes Tour continues with more dates in Quebec and Ontario, and continues on in the U.S. after the holidays, with western Canadian dates to follow in the spring. Check out Texas King and their new EP wherever you buy or stream music.
