Biffy Clyro, Raue
May 3, 2026
Beanfield Theatre, Montreal, QC
Montreal has a way of turning any night into something a little bigger than expected—but on May 3rd at the Beanfield Theatre, Biffy Clyro had the atmosphere feeling unusually charged even before a single note rang out.
It’s almost baffling that a band as massive in Europe as Biffy Clyro is still playing relatively intimate North American venues. Having last seen them in 2017 at Petit Campus, it felt surreal to once again catch them in a sub-1000-capacity room—especially one that wasn’t even sold out.
The evening kicked off with Raue, a young California duo that walked onstage with a scrappy, garage-band urgency. Their sound leaned heavily into grunge textures—raw guitar tones, moody rhythms, and vocals that felt both unpolished and intriguing in the best way. There’s clearly something brewing with this band.
That said, their set was cloaked—almost literally—in darkness. The lighting did them no favors, keeping them in the shadows when a bit more spotlight could have helped the crowd connect with what they were doing. Still, the potential is undeniable. With the right push, Raue could absolutely make some noise.
Before the headliners even hit the stage, the room was buzzing—but not just for the music. As fans packed in shoulder-to-shoulder, eyes kept drifting to phones. The Montreal Canadiens were in a Game 7 showdown against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and as the final seconds ticked down, the tension inside the venue was palpable.
Then came the release: a 2–1 Canadiens victory. The room erupted. Strangers hugged, beers sloshed, and a thunderous “Olé, Olé, Olé” chant filled the theatre. Only in Montreal could a playoff win seamlessly merge into a rock show kickoff like that.
And what a kickoff it was. Off to the 2nd round for the Habs
When Biffy Clyro took the stage, there was a noticeable absence: bassist James Johnston, currently away focusing on his mental health. In his place was Naomi Macleod, who stepped in with confidence and precision, more than holding her own throughout the night.
They opened with A Little Love, with Simon Neil perched dramatically on a riser at the back. There were slight sound hiccups early on, but they were ironed out quickly—and once they were, the band absolutely locked in.
Over the next 90+ minutes, Biffy delivered a 21-song set that was equal parts tight, explosive, and emotional. Simon even took a moment to shout out the Canadiens for “fucking up Tampa Bay,” earning one of the loudest cheers of the night.
Highlights came in waves:
- “Wolves of Winter” hit like a sledgehammer
- “Friendship” carried extra weight as Simon acknowledged their absent bandmate and wished him well
- The crowd-driven singalong for “Black Chandelier” was nothing short of electric
- “Mountains” felt massive, filling every inch of the theatre
They closed with “Bubbles” and “Many of Horror,” sending the crowd out on a soaring, emotional high.
This wasn’t just a great show—it was one of those fleeting, had-to-be-there nights where everything aligned: the city, the stakes, the band, the crowd.
If Biffy Clyro still isn’t on your radar, it’s time to fix that.
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