Angel Olsen Turned On the Waterworks at Her Toronto Show

All photos courtesy of author

“I wore this dress for you guys, because we’re going on a date,” said Angel Olsen to a sold out Toronto crowd just before the third song of her solo set in the heart of the city’s Little Italy. It was a sweet moment, and certainly not the only one of the night. But the giggles in the crowd were cut short by one lame drunk who felt the need to belt out “You look hot!” from somewhere in the middle of the audience, winning the hearts of all around him and making a case for the argument that chivalry is still alive and well. His valiant efforts to be recognized as a man of integrity fell by the wayside, with Olsen choosing to ignore his thoughtful compliment. Instead, the North Carolina songstress proved that the loudest voice in the room belonged to the person who was able to make listeners feel the most.

It's a testament to Olsen’s songwriting prowess that the room simply shut up to listen to the words she was singing, paying attention to a single voice in a room with fans packed like sardines into a poorly air-conditioned hall. Couples especially made the most of it, using Olsen’s sad-sounding songs as excuses to hug and touch and sway with each other. “I’m playing some new songs tonight,” a smiley Olsen said. “I hope you don’t mind. I know you’re trying to get what you paid for but sometimes you don’t get what you paid for.” Someone near the front exclaimed that it was his birthday, prompting Olsen to dedicate her next song, a cover of Roky Erickson’s “For You (I’d Do Anything),” to the eager audience member, because sometimes you get more than what you paid for.

When she brought out fan favourite “Unfucktheworld”, she admitted she actually avoided playing the song so much that she’d forgotten the lyrics. “Sorry I fucked it up, what are the words?” The crowd came out in full force, carrying her through the rest of the song. Next up, Olsen announced that she had “something sad for all you sad people out there.” This elicited a strange blast of cheers from the crowd as she eased into the nearly seven minute “White Fire.” Working from what looked like a scrap paper plate with her set list scribbled onto it, she launched next into an absolutely gorgeous cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Tougher Than The Rest.” It would have been the mic drop moment had the closer “May As Well”, not been so crushing. There were more than a few not-so-dry eyes in the house. One girl on her way out the door, barely able to handle the idea of an encore, admitted with cheeks still wet, “I bawled my fucking eyes out.” She wasn’t alone in that sentiment, as dozens of wet eyes emerged from the venue with the voice of Angel Olsen still fresh in their minds.

Matt Williams might not have cried, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t feel things in his heart. — @MattGeeWilliams