On the tail end of their ‘Dancing With The Moonlight’ Tour, Hotel Mira returned home for a sold out evening at the Hollywood Theatre. It was an early show (even for usual ‘early show’ standards) and I missed opener Dust Cwaine, but luckily arrived just before the night’s host, the established Shanda Leer, introduced the band with a quick drag number to Celine Dion’s “That’s the Way It Is”.

Shortly after, “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS blasted over the speakers as Hotel Mira hit the stage; Mike Noble on bass & synth, Clark Grieve on guitar, drummer Cole George, and singer Charlie Kerr. They launched immediately into one of their new singles “Everything Once” and then crowd favourite “Fever Pitch”, which was also a fitting description for the audience that night, as the sold out room sang, yelled, and screamed along, hanging on Kerr's every word (and thrust).

Always a frenetic ball of energy on stage, Charlie Kerr was no different this night as he danced, writhed, lost his shirt, and interacted with the crowd. He perched on the edge of the stage & reached his hand out for whoever wanted to hold it during “Speaking Off the Record”, and asking who had recently been dumped so everyone could give a cathartic “Fuck James!” before “Better On Your Own”. And the rest of the band matched his energy for the show, as Kerr introduced each throughout the night when they had their own solos.

Other highlights included my favourite from their Perfectionism album “Jungle”, showcasing the band’s harmonies; the manic and infectious newer song “Dancing With the Moonlight”; and “The Eyes On You”, which was fittingly introduced by a quick cover of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”.

The main set ended off with the another older favourite “Southern Comforting”, before Charlie & Clark were quickly back for “A Song for Daisy”, lighters held aloft for the softer tune. They were then re-joined by Mike & Cole, to cap off the night with an old favourite, the chaotic “Oh My God”, Charlie wading into the audience to cap off the evening.

As the band took a bow there were chants for a genuine encore. But while the foursome seemed to consider it, the looming curfew probably put a stop to it. I’m not sure if it was the vibes in the room, the hometown show, or the end of their tour — or all of the above — but the band was on top of their game last night, possibly the best I’ve seen them perform.

setlist
Everything Once
Fever Pitch
Eventually
Circulation
Silver Lake
Better On Your Own
Ginger Ale
Jungle
The Eyes On You
Dancing With the Moonlight
This Could Be It For Me
Speaking Off the Record
Southern Comforting
(encore)
A Song for Daisy
Son-in-Law
Oh My God