Metric's Emily Haines Gets Nostalgic at Osheaga

The sight of Metric lead singer Emily Haines bopping behind her keyboard has become synonymous with Canadian music festivals, though in the past they've often been on smaller stages.

The journeymen group -- who have lived in Toronto, New York, Montreal, London and LA – have spent a good percentage of their career performing big tunes for small to mid-sized audiences. But, through a mix of unfortunate circumstances and kismet, the electro-rockers managed to play second stage headliner at Montreal's Osheaga festival on Sunday -- playing the undercard to Weezer -- and found a match for the grandiosity of both their sound and their live show.

Ever the energetic and alluring frontwoman, Emily Haines took to the grand setting with aplomb. Gyrating, jumping and playing up to both the cameras shooting the event and the over twenty thousand-strong crowd.

Playing a 'Fantasies' heavy set, the group returned to Osheaga for the third time with a message of positivity. "Coming to play Osheaga reminds me of everything I love about music," Haines preached. "To glance over and see Snoop Dogg - c'mon!"

Haines continued the love-in seconds later by singing the praises of fellow Canadian Neil Young and covering the first stanza of his 'Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)' before launching into the crowd-pleasing 'Gimme Sympathy.'



After a disappointingly long-winded 'Dead Disco' fell flat, Haines and co. returned to form with an impressive 'Stadium Love' and set the stage for the Toronto-based singer to wax nostalgic on her time spent living in Montreal.

"Sometimes dreams do come true!" she told the crowd in her signature airy style. "This night takes me back to my place on St. Laurent, beside the gas station.'

Haines and guitarist Jimmy Shaw then closed the set with a heart-aching acoustic version of the group's first Canadian hit 'Combat Baby,' with Haines delivering a powerful vocal performance and providing a festival highlight.

While the fast songs were well-executed and entertaining, the success of the acoustic closing number proved that, while they may have the hits and stadium-sized sound to play before tens of thousands, sometimes it's the sincerest of songs that reach the furthest.