The Honest Heart Collective at The Rainbow

It has been three years since I’ve been to an indoor concert. What started during a mandatory lockdown turned into just a change in habits. I finally decided I wanted to dive back into the concert scene, and, when browsing for upcoming concerts, The Honest Heart Collective immediately caught my eye. The band first caught my attention at Canadian Music Week in 2017 and later that year they were slotted to play the final concert at Ottawa’s Zaphod Beeblebrox, which they certainly did the venue proud.

Back in September 2021, the venerable music venue The Rainbow announced that it was going to be closing for good. It was sad news as the venue has a nearly 40-year history and has hosted many famous artists, including Bo Diddly, Koko Taylor, Dr. John, The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Crash Test Dummies, Spirit of the West, Tom Wilson, Amanda Marshall, Colin James, and k.d. lang. Thankfully, that story had a happy ending as funds were secured to keep The Rainbow open.

The Honest Heart Collective’s show on Saturday, March 18th was billed as a Big Bands in Small Venues event. Sure enough, the band announced that it was the first show on their tour that sold out well in advance of the date.

As I awaited for them to take the stage, I was reminded of what makes taking in a live show in a small venue so great. You are surrounded by other music lovers who all share an interest in the band and who are ready to take part in that communal event that is a live concert. When The Honest Heart Collective took the stage and started playing, my mind was immediately transported to the excitement of discovering the Thunder Bay quartet and the joy of their previous concerts. Music has the power to do that. They played one of their newer songs, “Suffocate”, which is one I already have added to my personal playlist. They capped off their set with some fan favourites, including “North American Dream”, “Where Her & I Began”, “11/17”, and “I Heard You’re Worried About Me”.

Opening that night were Hopper and Leeny Jones.

Yes, it has been three years since I’ve been to an indoor concert, but I am happy to say I have missed it more than I believed and it will be going out more often again.