Marianas Trench and Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts
May 8, 2026
The JAG Soundhouse, St. John’s, NL
All Photo Credit: Tara Thompson
The JAG Soundhouse is a new venue to me. Although it has been around for a while now, Friday May 8th was the first time I ventured out to the venue…. and it won’t be my last.
The JAG Soundhouse is located in the heart of downtown St. John’s. It is described as a venue that is “built for performers and guests alike, the dynamic two-story layout and cutting-edge lighting ensure the perfect blend of intimacy and energy for any show.” It did not disappoint.
Starting off the night were a fantastic group of locals, Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts. This group of talented musicians consisting of Nick Earle, Clare Follet, Daniel George, and Andrew Rodgers, never disappoint. According to the bands’ website, they are “bringing a fresh surge of energy to rock ‘n’ roll, balancing sharp songwriting with show-stopping guitar work that’s as technical as it is explosive.”
This is a band I’ve been following for a while now and they never disappoint. The band started off the night with the track ‘Queen of the Night’, followed by ‘Never Should Have Left’, a track about leaving town. Each track boasts memorable lyrics and a catchy tune that leaves you moving along to the beat.
The band played some of their earlier hits, along with some newer tracks such as ‘Best of Me’ that left the emotions resonating amongst the audience. Following this track was the powerful, upbeat tune ‘Ocean View’ before George broke into a drum solo.
Finishing off the night was the hit ‘Born To Lose’. This is one of the first tunes that really captured my attention one of the first times I saw the band in its current form. The song captures the essence of the band – the creative writing, the tight musical arrangements, the energy that the band radiates when on stage.
Nick Earle and The Reckless Hearts are “channeling something raw, real, and recklessly alive, bringing East Coast rock to the masses, one hook at a time. Following the breakout success of No More Hiding and its viral single, ‘Born to Lose’, the band is set to release their first live record, Live At The JAG Soundhouse, on May 21, capturing the unfiltered energy that has become their calling card. If you cannot see them live, this is certainly the next best thing.
The headliners for the night were none other than Marianas Trench. Formed in 1999, this Canadian pop rock band from Vancouver, have been hitting Canada by storm. At the forefront of the band, Josh Ramsay (lead vocalist, guitarist, piano) always leaves an impression with his powerful vocals. Ramsay is accompanied by Matt Webb (guitar, vocals), Ian Casselman (drums, vocals), and Mike Ayley (bass, vocals)
Marianas Trench has had an impressive career so far. “Since 2006, the JUNO Award-winning band has earned multiple triple-platinum records and radio singles like ‘Stutter’, ‘Fallout’, and ‘Who Do You Love.’ Of course the fans were treated to these hits during the night. Each track brought the energy to the room creating an electric atmosphere as the fans sang along.
The band played some of their earliest hits, including ‘Shake Tramp’. This track was played as a part of a medley including ‘Cross My Heart’ and ‘Celebrity Status’ from Masterpiece Theatre. I’ve been to a few shows over the past few years and this combination is definitely memorable. Masterpiece Theatre is definitely one of their most known albums. It is always special to continue to hear songs from this era, including ‘All to Myself’ and ‘Good to You’, which Ramsey sang as a solo during the show. During this song, you can feel the emotions radiate through the room.
Marianas Trench released their sixth studio album, Haven, in 2024. Singles such as ‘Lightning and Thunder’, ‘Down to You’ and ‘I’m Not Getting Better’ have been gracing their setlists ever since. Staying true to their catchy lyrics and melodies, these songs continue to live rent-free in our heads.
There are so many catchy tunes that continue to excite the audience, such as ‘Ever After’, ‘Rhythm of Your Heart’, ‘Desperate Measures’ and ‘Pop 101’. These are tracks where no matter how many times we hear them, we keep coming back for more. Marianas Trench never disappoints and if the reception they got from the audience here in Newfoundland is any indication, they are sure to be back again! You definitely don’t want to miss out on this experience.
