Photos and words by Leslie Kalohi

Displaying an abundance of energy, Montreal’s Stars concluded a three month long tour at the Fonda Theatre, showing no sign of wear while promoting last year’s No One Is Lost. In fact, they have added some more U.S. tour dates starting at the end of this month.

Torquil Campbell was the epitome of exuberance, which paired well with Amy Millan’s cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor. Millan kept Campbell throughout the night, and their playfulness was simply a joy to watch. From the first note of “From the Night” to the encore, the band’s momentum never wavered.

No stranger to Los Angeles, Amy Millan revealed she briefly lived on Poinsettia before returning back to Canada. Torquil Campbell thanked LA for “fucking her over” so that they could form Stars, and dedicated the heartbreaking “Look Away” to the City of Angels.

Despite the band’s trademark, melancholy lyrics, the night was akin to a celebration. Songs such as “Dead Hearts” became a participatory experience, with fans singing along with Millan’s lullaby-like vocals while forming hearts with their outstretched hands. The night ended with the perfect dance number to start off the weekend, “No One Is Lost,” as Campbell sang for everyone to “put your hands up ‘cause everybody dies.” It’s a dark ode that’s somehow is made comforting with Millan’s breezy refrain, the reminder that “No one is lost.”

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Brooklyn’s Leisure Cruise delivered a fiery set helmed by the dynamic Leah Siegel. Layering dance-inducing synths and catchy rock hooks, it’s no wonder that the band comes highly touted by Stars’ Torquil Campbell. The band also debuted new song “Dust,” which was quickly written on a plane ride during the tour.

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STARS’ SETLIST:
From The Night
Ageless Beauty
We Don’t Want Your Body
Backlines
You Keep Coming Up
This is the Last Time
Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It
Look Away
Dead Hearts
Trap Door
One More Night
Are You OK?
Elevator Love Letter
Take Me to the Riot
Your Ex-Lover Is Dead
No One is Lost
Encore:
What Is To Be Done?