Neko Case at the Burton Cummings Theatre

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

By Nora Burns

Neko Case provided hard core Winnipeg fans with a fantastical display of pitch perfect vocals, astonishing lyricism and performance talent.  Any newcomers to the Case fan base were quick converts. She moved with ease from her deep chest of songs to new tunes from her 2018 album Hell on.  As part of her spring tour Neko Case and company provided a sleek two hour concert to mesmerized audience.

The spring leg of tour kicked off in Halifax in April and they continuing on to Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Kyle Cline, Cases’s drummer indicated the band puts together a revolving playlist for Case for each show. This keeps the playing fresh with easy movement in and out of the new work and Case’s deep treasure chest of songs.  The five piece band aptly performed each tune with wondrous vocal accompaniments, a hypnotic performance of an array of acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, Cline’s percussion and even banjo accompaniment.

Her banter with the band and references to Winnipeg, Burton Cummings and love of the Maritimes while introducing Oracle of The Maritimes makes Winnipeg think she loves us back.