I’m sure you’ve heard on the news or seen on TikTok that Mitski has come to Toronto. The opener, Tamino, played a series of songs solely with his collection of guitars and his beautiful voice. His songs can be described as soulful, emotional, intense and intimate—similar to Mitski. His lyricism reflects his instrumentals and tone of voice. He sings with passion from the soul, making him a perfect opener for Mitski.

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Now onto what we’re really here to talk about—Mitski. The concert was about two hours long with a twenty-three song setlist and two encores: “Nobody” and “Washing Machine Heart.” She played three nights at Massey Hall, and I had the privilege of attending the first night on February 10th, 2024. I attended the concert with one of my closest friends, and we sang our hearts out the whole concert.

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The highlights from this concert were as follows:

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“I Don’t Smoke” played as a ragtime, country song you could dance to, as opposed to its usual sombre tone comparing the harmful addiction of smoking to that of a toxic relationship. 

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“First love/Late Spring” featured intense choreography that complemented the song and demonstrated Mitski’s ability to convey her message in more than just words.

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“I’m Your Man” was played so beautifully, it brought me and many others to tears. The song describes feelings of regret for not showing enough love, care, and appreciation for a lover before the relationship turns sour due to the neglect. 

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This concert was a life changing experience and can only be described as such. Seeing such a talented artist live is a once in a lifetime experience that I will always cherish. I don’t think I will ever be the same person again. Mitski is one of the best artists of our generation. Her ability to captivate a crowd and have them laughing one minute and crying the next is incomparable and demonstrates the true talent she possesses. 

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Music is such an important part of life; it connects us to one another, and it’s always a beautiful thing to be part of a crowd all gathered together for the sole purpose of enjoying music. Loving any type of music makes you belong to a community of people just like you, who love it just like you. The ability to connect to others is truly one of the best parts of life.

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