20 May 2026. Toronto locals In Your Walls headlined a sampler of alternative, punk, rock, and folk-leaning acts at the Horseshoe Tavern, delivering a night that felt energetic and fun.

We arrived late—our streetcar just kept being eternally 10 minutes away on the map—and missed opener whygo and part of In Your Wall’s, catching only the tail end of Men From Mars as we filtered in. Still, stepping into the Horseshoe felt instantly familiar. I hadn’t been in a while, but I really like the Horseshoe. The split between the front bar and seating area (which includes a pool table) and the performance space in the back made it easy to settle back in.

Matlocke followed with a set that carried the night’s momentum forward. Their sound hit a compelling middle ground—part Ramones drive, part Elvis Costello sharpness, with flashes of Rolling Stones attitude. Vocalist Steven Thompson, tall and wiry, had a natural stage presence, though his vocals were often buried in the mix. When they did cut through, they revealed a distinct character—like Elvis Costello fronting a relentless punk band. Their closing sequence stood out: a slowed-down passage that unraveled into a gritty, satisfying breakdown.

The final act was Gab de la Vega. A solo performer from Italy, Vega brought a different texture to the night yet still fit in with the broader tone and aesthetic of the evening. His voice echoed a ‘90s Green Day demo—nasal twang, urgent, and melodic—closing things on a raw, stripped-back note. I especially enjoyed his heartfelt acoustic rendition of “Preaching to the Choir.”

More than any single set, the night worked as a whole—a rotating cast of sounds and styles tied together by the room itself, where rough edges, small surprises, and shared energy mattered more than polish. I only wish I could have seen whygo – I’ll have to keep my eyes out for their next show.

Check out some photos from last night:

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