Propaghandi, Cross Dog, Wax Mannequin
September 13, 2025
The Great Hall, Toronto, ON
Manitoba punk rock legends Propaghandi are hot off the heels from their latest album At Peace. For over 2 decades Propaghandi has set the standard for the genre while staying consistent in making classic records. On Saturday September 13th, 2025 Propaghandi did a second sold out night in Toronto. Canadian locals Wax Mannequin and Cross Dog opened the show.Â
Wax Mannequin is a one-man band from Hamilton Ontario. While singing and playing guitar, Chris Adney is accompanied by drum loops and pre-recorded bass lines. The tunes carry a singer/songwriter approach to the punk formula while maintaining a blend of loudness and intimacy. Wax Mannequin has been a part of the Hamilton punk scene for many years and it’s always a pleasure to see them active to this day. Wax Mannequin was an excellent choice to open up this show.Â
Up next was Cross Dog from Peterborough, Ontario. Simply put, this band rules. Their sound is explosive, fast paced and politically charged in its lyricism. Cross Dog changes up the formula by not having a guitar player. The bass guitar has a tone that’s so full and expressive that it fills the sonic space that is left behind. The vocalist has a stage presence that commands the attention of the audience. While hopping into the crowd and jumping around on stage the vocals soar above the wild instrumentation. I couldn’t recommend this band more. Both their live shows and studio recordings deserve your time. Keep your eye out for Cross Dog as they continue to grow.Â
Propaghandi hit the stage around 10:00PM and the audience went nuts. The room was filled with passionate fans that knew all the words to their favourite songs. The enthusiasm from the crowd was palpable and an absolute treat to be a part of. The setlist was a nice blend of songs from At Peace as well and classics like Dear Coach’s Corner and And We Thought Nation States Were a Bad Idea. The quality of the new songs is made apparent as they sit perfectly with their hits. Propagandhi are incredibly tight performers that never miss a beat. The technical prowess of this band is a sight to behold and elevates the awe-factor of their live show. It’s amazing that after all these years, Propaghandi has remained a staple in the genre and as relevant as ever.Â
