Chris Cresswell
All Photo Credit: Emily Dunlop

Chris Cresswell in Toronto, ON – Show Review

Chris Cresswell, Chuck Coles & Northcote
April 20, 2024
Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, ON

Melting a chilly April Saturday Night in Toronto, Chris Cresswell, Chuck Coles, and Northcote turned up the heat on the Grit and Gravel inside the Horseshoe Tavern. The last stop on the If You Roam tour, these gentlemen gave all the acoustic emotion, laughs, and Storytelling emanating from each songwriter. 

Chuck Coles – From Oshawa, Ontario, Coles is the Former guitarist from heavy metal band Brown Brigade, lead singer and guitarist for the band The Organ Thieves, Cauterize, and most recent with the band The Creepshow. Living by the golden rule, and to always emanate compassion, as we never know what others are going through. Chuck jumps straight in with grit and gravel in his voice, notes of protest, and a Sublime-type style. With a deep resonance, Coles has you captivated with is his rhythm and rhymes, along with nods to Bedouin Soundclash, meets blues. 

Northcote – Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Matt Goud, established Northcote in 2010 with the album Borrowed Chords, Tired Eyes, Accompanied by Eric Paone on bass. With early exposure to AM radio Country and Hymns from church as a boy, Matt (aka Northcote), then dived into Punk and hard-core. Singing soft-spoken, with folk singer-songwriter serenades, the gentlemen duo took us on a journey of love and loss. Grassroots laid the foundation of the night’s vibe 

Chris Cresswell – Frontman to Punk Rock band, The Flatliners, Chris is no stranger to commanding the stage. Stripped back on rock melodies, but certainly not on skill, Cresswell showcased his solo body of work. Prior to Releasing ‘ The Stubbornness of the Young’ in September of 2023, Chis has been releasing his single-handed tracks since 2014. Keeping his signature punk rock snarl in his back pocket, letting the clear singer-songwriter light and airy sound shine through, acoustic in hand. Featuring his wide vocal range, Chris shared with us a lullaby meets rustic rhythm, and Just as we settled into this new vibe, Chris then unleashed his Pink Electric guitar. With a big cheer from the crowd, ‘yes we’re going to Rock… a little bit’ he proclaimed. With melodic rifts, and then the hand-picked band of some familiar faces, joined in to fill in stage left and right. Oh yes, the band is good! 

On this particular night in Toronto, this lineup of Gents was one of a kind, not knowing when they would all be in the same space again for a show together. The last night of the If you Roam tour, but indeed not the last of music and collaboration drifting around music venues. “Oh darling, life’s for living, so on your feet, we’re leaving, to see it all”

For more photos from the show, head to our Facebook page!