Pedro the Lion brings "Santa Cruz" to Toronto

toronto, canada - june 28, 2024

Fresh off the release of their latest album, Santa Cruz, earlier this month, Pedro the Lion captured the audience late Friday night in Toronto. David Bazen, better known as the creative head behind Pedro the Lion, alongside long time collaborator Erik Walters on guitar and backing vocals and Rebecca Cole on synth, keyboard bass, and backing vocals, combined on stage to provide a soft intimate evening to the eagerly attentive crowd. With the drum kit pushed right to the front of the stage, this is Bazen’s first tour playing drums live as well as lead vocals, despite playing drums on most of the previous Pedro the Lion records. 

Filling Toronto’s The Great Hall with the soft melodic songs that define Pedro the Lion’s discography, the lack of barrier between the stage and the crowd increases the intimate feel of the show as the crowd is magnetically drawn closer and closer to the stage. The setlist is dominated by tracks off of their latest release, Santa Cruz, the third installment in David Bazen’s ongoing musical memoir of his life. In the planned five album arc, Santa Cruz focuses on Bazen’s teenage awakenings, and is filled with the energy and uncertainty that reflect that period of time. 

Alternating between new and older tracks, with favourites from records like Havasu and Phoenix and older classics like Secret of the Easy Yoke off of their first record, as well as a couple of covers, including Grandaddy’s Taster, Pedro the Lion balances the setlist beautifully to unite every fan, new and old. Bazen’s soft, melodic voice and tight drumming fill the hall, as the audience sways along in quiet awe. Songs like First Drum Set and Modesto have the audience singing alongside Bazen, unable to look away from the stage. 

Pedro the Lion is a master at controlling the room in an understated manner. Without any of the large production that fills many stages, the audience is captured purely by the emotion and soul behind each song, mesmerizing fans through the entire setlist. The Santa Cruz summer tour continues into late July and Pedro the Lion is a must see if you are an indie rock fan. David Bazen, Erik Walters, and Rebecca Cole blend beautifully to provide a soft, melodic evening that feels intimate no matter how large the crowd. Their latest release, Santa Cruz is out on all streaming platforms now.