Oct. 16 – MonkeyJunk’s performance was one bluesy night at Hugh’s Room, nestled on Broadview Avenue in Toronto’s East Side. Between the headliners and the opening performance, it was an evening steeped in soulful tunes and swampy blues.
Opening the night was Keith Hallet, a New Brunswick-based solo electric guitar act who played a brooding, haunting style of blues. His voice floated somewhere between a high-pitched croon and a nasal twang, giving the otherworldly performance a little edge. With his dark tone and intimate style, the mood fit the Halloween season well.
Headlining the night was MonkeyJunk, whose signature “swamp blues” vibe filled the room with smoky, steamy sounds. Their lineup delivered a rich, layered experience that included contemporary sounds, a bit of a funk vibe, and more traditional blues forms. Long parts of their set were instrumental, highlighting the musicians’ ability to build intricate sonic landscapes with the harmonica, guitar, and drums.
The band kicked things off with this trio of instruments, setting the tone for the night with crisp solos and tight rhythms, before seguing into songs with lyrics taking the lead over the harmonica. Later, during the middle of their set, the harmonica player even swapped between two harmonicas mid-song, adding texture to their performance.
Between songs, the band bantered with the crowd, sharing stories about hearing Keith Hallett’s music on MySpace and reminiscing about their early days. According to their lead singer, Hallet reached out to them, saying he liked their sound. MonkeyJunk’s lead singer “liked the cut of [Hallet’s] jib,” and they’ve been in touch ever since. The band recently celebrated their 16th year together, which they marked by playing tracks from their earliest albums, the first of which included covers since they didn’t yet have enough original material. One of these highlights was their rendition of “Give Me Time,” a nod to their early influences.
Overall, their setlist was well-balanced, moving between upbeat numbers and more reflective, slower tracks. The heavier moments were marked by booming vocals that belted out powerful notes, while the softer tracks gave the instruments room to breathe. MonkeyJunk’s skill in manipulating dynamics added to the experience. The band often pulled back from their mics, before returning at full-blast, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Their use of stop-time breaks was particularly effective, making the moments of silence just as impactful as the music.
Throughout the performance, I couldn’t help but imagine myself as a trucker, cruising across the southwestern U.S. with MonkeyJunk’s tunes on the stereo. Their music feels made for the open road—equal parts intense, thoughtful, and timeless.
Both Keith Hallett and MonkeyJunk offered a masterclass in musicianship, storytelling, and the art of keeping things fresh, even after sixteen years on the road. To hear more of Hallet’s music, or to learn more about him, check out his website. Likewise, if you want to hear more MonkeyJunk, you can find their website here.
Some shots from the show:
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