The Commoners made their Paris debut last night, opening for The Sheepdogsat the Badaboum. For a band still relatively unknown on this side of the Atlantic, it was a valuable opportunity to introduce themselves to a new audience, and they made good use of it.
Drawing heavily from their recent album Restless while incorporating a few selections from Find A Better Way, the Toronto group presented a sound rooted in seventies hard rock and Southern rock without becoming trapped by either genre. Echoes of Aerosmith, Blackfoot and other classic American rock bands could be heard throughout the set, but the songs possessed enough character to avoid feeling derivative.
The rhythm section provided a solid foundation for the material, while the keyboards added welcome texture and depth. Above it all, the vocals carried the songs with conviction, particularly during the band's heavier and more melodic passages. The emphasis remained firmly on strong songs and straightforward execution rather than instrumental excess.
A support slot only offers a limited amount of time to make an impression, but The Commoners managed exactly that. By the end of their set, they had given the audience a concise introduction to their music and provided an effective lead-in to the evening's headliners.
The Sheepdogs @ la Maroquinerie, Paris - June 18th, 2022
The Sheepdogs @ Point Éphémère, Paris - June 12th, 2019
