No Need for Band-Aids at the Alessia Cara Show

By Sarah Evangelista

Graphic: Emily Lantzy

         You might know of Alessia Cara from her debut hit single “Here,” inspired from being at an uncomfortable and boring party, but her show in Montreal on May 16th definitely proved that she knows how to have a good time.

         The Canadian singer first announced the home-country tour during the winter, making fans anticipate exactly what The Pains of Growing Toour would be like. Would there be acoustic breakdowns? Artsy backgrounds? A powerful setlist? Somehow, Cara found a way to accommodate all of those ideas and beyond.

         We took the Montreal Metro to Place Des Arts, which was very efficient, seeing that the metro stop is connected to the venue. By the time we got to our seats, the lights were just beginning to dim, and the fun began.

         Ryland James was a familiar face to see before Alessia Cara’s set. In the past, he has opened up for fellow Canadian artists such as Scott Helman and Tyler Shaw. His powerful voice became known through his first single, “Good To You,” and his newest, “Say Goodbye,” along with a few unreleased ones, which need to be released soon so I can listen on repeat. He then sang a medley of covers, putting a new twist to “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish and “Dancing with a Stranger” by Normani and Sam Smith.

         After a short intermission, Cara started singing “Growing Pains (Reprise)” and the anticipated fans only got more excited. All eyes were on her in awe of her talent and catchy songs, singing along to every word and every melody, whether she was singing from her debut album, Know-It-All, or from her newest, The Pains of Growing.

         I’m not lying when I said Alessia Cara could do it all. She rocked her acoustic sets, which consisted of her raw voice and electric guitar singing songs like “Comfortable,” and she bopped with high energy and her amazing backup musicians during “Nintendo Game.”

         Other than the performance itself, the background was incredibly planned out. The set design was “a little home,” as Cara described it. It could be easily seen from any seat you would be sitting in. With some couches, carpets and even a bed to create a homelike structure, it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

         In the end, my love for Alessia Cara only grew more, and Ryland James definitely earned more deserving fans. This was my second time seeing both the performers live, and they never cease to amaze me. Make sure to check if the tour is stopping anywhere near you!