I headed out to Avant-Garde to get my first taste of Project Mantra. Other than having met frontman Leigh Bursey a couple of times and recently interviewing him ahead of of the show, I was largely unfamiliar with the band and their music.
Unfortunately I missed the openers as I arrived just as the band was getting ready to start their set.
Once the set began, it only took a couple of songs to get caught up in their energy and sound. Leigh is a bit of a showman and kept things interesting with a few props during the performance.
Standing face to face with friends and fans in the small bar, the band belted through an entertaining set, feeding off the energy being returned to them after each song.
The unique thing about this show, was the swapping in and out of departing and new members for various songs. With a single show, you kind of got a sense of where the band has come from and where they are going. Seeing them for the first time, it was definitely a unique look. It may be the only time I ever experience something like it.
If you haven’t heard Project Mantra, check out their latest release Moonlight Over Vagabond.
Check out a few images from their performance. You can next catch the band in Ottawa on August 18th at Barrymore’s, along with some other great local acts.
