Photos and a review of Hollerado in Ottawa

[Karen Coughtrey provides the text while the photos are by Melody Mahoney. – AC]

Algonquin college provided Ottawa with two back to back nights of special concerts, kicking off Thursday (November 21, 2024) with the return of hometown band Hollerado. It was a night of shenanigans and a masterclass in how concerts can be about so much more than just the music.

The first surprise of the night, which probably should’ve been predicted given the Friday night lineup (Tokyo Police Club, opened by Hollerado’s Menno Versteeg,) was a short acoustic set from Dave Monks of Tokyo Police Club. He played ‘Tessellate’ and amused the crowd with his supposed confusion about the date and tale of the “chain letter”-like history of the bands opening up for each other.

Actual opening band, Halifax’s Customer Service took the stage next. The young punk rockers admitted to not having played in front of a crowd of this size before but one would never guess as they brought great energy, skilled musicianship and appeared very comfortable on stage. They were very complimentary of the Ottawa music scene, shouting out some of their favourite local bands and closed their seven song set with their single ‘Grad Day.’

DJ Noah, on air personality from local rock radio station LIVE 88.5 set up what happened next perfectly. Appearing on stage with a walker in case it might be needed by the ageing band, he mused about Hollerado coming out of retirement for this special show, and how it might go. He introduced the band and three grey haired men clad in pastel versions of the band’s signature adidas track suits hobbled out on to the stage, with the help of golf clubs as canes and the like. They joked about how nothing had changed (in Ottawa) since they last performed together and performed a song with as much energy as they could muster and then thanked the crowd for coming. The audience played along, enthusiastically chanting “one more song” as they took their bow. They of course welcomed the actual members of Hollerado to the stage and it was revealed Friday night at the Tokyo Police Club with Menno Versteeg show that the grey haired trio were neighbours of Menno’s parents.

Hollerado appeared with their usual energy and wearing the rainbow of adidas track suits they are known for. They opened the set with ‘So It Goes’ and ‘Americanarama.’ The band’s energy is catching and the crowd was into it immediately dancing and waving their hands enthusiastically. It wasn’t long before Menno would declare he already wants to do this again in another 5 years.

They played the first song they ever wrote ‘On My Own’ followed by ‘Good Day At The Races’ on which the crowd added wolf howling sounds, garnering a laugh from the band.

The band were clearly happy to be back together again, they are still best friends but of course took a moment to celebrate the work they’ve been doing during the band’s 5 year retirement. Nixon Boyd introduced and played a song he wrote about being a first time parent with his partner (and the keyboardist) Anne Douris. “We are lost together” he said, of course referencing Canadian icons Blue Rodeo. Next they were joined on stage by fiddler, Kendel Carson, to play Menno Versteeg’s song ‘Why We Run.’

The band really knows how to connect with a crowd and they shouted out a young audience member on the occasion of their first concert, and asked the crowd if they remembered theirs, joking that everyone’s first is Canadian rocker Sam Roberts and thrilled the crowd, playing favourite ‘Fake Drugs.’ They even played (perhaps for the first time live) the most Ottawa of songs, a mashup of ‘I Eat Nachos’ and ‘I Love Shawarmas’ songs from their 111 songs project, custom songs written for fans Holly Renshaw and James & Julia respectively.

The fun didn’t end there and they took requests and held an informal Q & A and pulled audience member Josh up on stage to help play their “funnest song” to write ever ‘Juliette’, he would receive huge applause when his ability to play actually matched the confidence to volunteer. Menno meanwhile made his way down to the floor, having the crowd make space and a couple brave souls would take him up on the offer to jump rope with the mic cord. He then allowed the crowd to move in close, surrounding him as he finished the song. The main set ended here but of course the fun did not.

Menno reappeared solo on stage for the encore, playing ‘Lonesome George’ but then the rest of the band reappeared, as did everyone who had graced the stage that evening, for the always epic and fun, Neil Young’s ‘Rockin In The Free World.’ And there is little doubt that the audience left with hope that Hollerado had managed to reignite their spark and love of performing as a band, and that they will keep on rocking, even if only once every few years.

Dave Monks – vocals, guitar

Customer Service
Matt Cheverie – guitar, vocals
Owen Harris – drums
Nick Adams – bass
Max Hayden – guitar

Hollerado
Menno Versteeg – guitar, lead vocals
Nixon Boyd – guitar, vocals
Dean Baxter – bass, vocals
Jake Boyd – drums, vocals
Anne Douris – keyboards