The Sheepdogs have become one of the standard-bearers of the so-called New Wave of Classic Rock, and judging by the turnout at the Badaboum, Paris has fully embraced the movement. The club was packed on this chilly November evening, only a few months after the Canadian band's well-received opening slot for Larkin Poe at the Olympia.
For 105 minutes, the group drew heavily from their recent EPs Hell Together and Paradise Alone while making ample room for older favourites, including Changing Colours. What quickly becomes apparent is that The Sheepdogs understand the difference between inspiration and imitation. Their music is steeped in blues, country-rock and Southern rock traditions, but it never feels like an exercise in nostalgia. The influences are obvious; the identity remains their own.
Much of that identity comes from the interplay between Ewan Currie and Ricky Paquette. Their guitar work sits at the centre of the band's sound, whether trading riffs, weaving harmonized leads or simply locking into a groove. Paquette's solos were consistently impressive, technically accomplished without becoming self-indulgent, while Currie's rougher approach provided an effective counterbalance. The vocal harmonies were equally important, giving many of the songs a richness that separated them from straightforward bar-band rock.
Elsewhere, Shamus Currie once again demonstrated why he is such a crucial component of the group. Moving effortlessly between keyboards, guitar and occasional bursts of keytar excess, he added both colour and unpredictability to the arrangements without ever distracting from the songs themselves.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the evening was how naturally the newer material sat alongside the older songs. There was no noticeable drop in energy or enthusiasm when the band introduced recent compositions. If anything, the set reinforced the impression that The Sheepdogs are not simply preserving a particular style of rock music but continuing to develop it. By the end of the night, the audience had little interest in leaving, and the band had little left to prove.
The Sheepdogs @ la Maroquinerie, Paris - June 18th, 2022
The Sheepdogs @ Point Éphémère, Paris - June 12th, 2019
