Dear Rouge’s intimate coffeehouse gig in words and pictures

[Another look at what’s happening in Ottawa with correspondent Ross MacDonald. – AC]

Holding an outdoor concert, even in the summer, can be risky when you are at the whims of mother nature. Neat Coffee Shop https://neatmusicandcoffee.ca/ west of Ottawa was hosting Vancouver alt-rockers Dear Rouge Saturday night (June 3) under threatening skies. They opened with ‘Dream Dreamer’ off their new album Spirit, their first LP in four years.

Dear Rouge played half a dozen songs off Spirit’ including a sing-along with ‘Meet Me At The Rio’, and they received a boisterous reaction to their latest hit single ‘Gimme Spirit’. The crowd did receive a short shower, Drew had to move his pedal board under cover of the shed, but it didn’t last long. And as the shower ended Danielle introduced another new song ‘Life Goes By And I Can’t Keep Up’, she added: “this song is emotional, about being happy in the moment, like that rainbow over there. Acknowledging that life goes by, but to also be in the present.” It was a rare opportunity where Drew shared lead vocals with Danielle.

Dear Rouge is an energetic band with Danielle bouncing around the stage area and interacting with the audience. It was a wonder that the follow-spot could keep up with her! The Juno award-winning band chatted with the audience and remarked how Neat is a hidden gem that attracts a plethora of successful artists whose photos decorate the walls.

Danielle and Drew closed out the night with one of their first hit singles ‘Best Look Lately’, yet another sing-along with the audience who were dancing right next to the stage. It was another evening that nobody wanted to end.

Danielle McTaggart – vocals, keyboards, percussion
Drew McTaggart – guitars, vocals

with:
Jordan Kern – bass, keyboards
Stefan Tavares – drums, percussion