Alvvays solid frontwoman Molly Rankin displays skills at Fox

BY HELEN LAME’

Breakout Canadian indie-rock band Alvvays, a two time winner of the alternative album of the year in their brief career, played a fast paced electrifying set at the Fox on Friday night.

The five person quintet fronted by lead singer and guitarist Molly Rankin along with guitarist Alec O’Hanley, bassist Abbey Blackwell, keys player Kerri MacLellan, and drummer Sheridan Riley, hails from Charlottetown, the capital and largest city of the small eastern Canadian province of Prince Edward Island – having since relocated to Toronto.

Alvvays has been racking up frequent flyer miles touring around the world and back since the release of 2022’s Blue Rev, their third album, but first in five years due to complexities compounded by the Covid pandemic and resulting cross border travel complications between Canada and the US.

Critically acclaimed for their urgent but jangly and melodious sound, Alvvays appeals to a somewhat younger crowd, as evidenced by the packed shoulder to shoulder highly enthusiastic contingent in attendance at The Fox.

It’s hard to pin down any other female vocalists with a similar sound to Rankin. Possibly a little bit Liz Phair, but she actually lists Morrissey and the Smiths among her biggest influences. A resulting fervent but polished sound buttressed by Riley’s consistently energetic performance behind the drum kit helped produce a high energy, smile inducing groove throughout the brisk 75 minute set.

Delivering a straight on Rock ’N’ Roll mindset with little personal interaction with the audience, Rankin and company relied heavily on material from the latest release, playing all but one of the albums 14 tracks, many of which clock in under the three minute mark.

Alvvays US Summer Tour continues with shows in Portland and Seattle next week. Tickets are available on the bands website.