Review: Former Lovers a band to watch as they continue to grow

Photo by Scott Roos. Saskatchewan band Former Lovers performs at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre in Prince Albert on Friday, Jan. 31.

Scott Roos

Special to the Herald

On Friday, Jan. 31, Former Lovers took to the stage at the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts in Prince Albert to celebrate the release of their debut EP Emotionally Awkward.

The evening was filled with a blend of introspective acoustic moments and electrifying full-band anthems and marked a powerful homecoming for LJ Tyson and Kayanna Wirtz, who call Prince Albert home.

The night began with a stripped-down, intimate set from Tyson and Wirtz. Performing as a duo, they set a cozy, almost coffeehouse vibe with a mix of original songs and clever covers.

Wirtz, handling an electric guitar, brought a jazzy, playful nuance to her voice and songs. Tyson’s voice— with a smooth timbre and subtle rasp—added an emotive, velvety texture when he took the lead.

The duo’s synergy was palpable, with Tyson accompanying himself on acoustic guitar while Wirtz provided harmonious backing vocals and vice versa. Their set felt personal and warm, giving the audience a glimpse into the more vulnerable side of the two Former Lovers members.

Highlights included songs like “I Was Right”, “Flowers”, “Home on a Rainbow” and their cover of Phoebe Bridgers’ “Motion Sickness”. For “Motion Sickness” the duo was joined by fellow Former Lovers bandmates Colin Klassen (guitar) and Cale Hretsina (drums). 

After a short break, the full band returned to the stage in Former Lovers mode. The shift from quiet introspection to an upbeat, full-band, more plugged in sound was seamless, and their set quickly filled the room with infectious energy.

The audience was treated to an array of catchy, angsty pop rock anthems from their new EP, including tracks “Cinematic” and “Small Talk”. These high-energy songs brought a lively, vibrant edge to the night, with the band’s set culminating in their funky performance of “Pink Smoke”.

They came out one final time to play an encore, choosing legendary 4 Non Blondes singalong “What’s Up”. Though the full-band moments were undeniably engaging, it was the earlier duo performances that arguably stole the show, offering a rawness that resonated deeply with the audience.

Friday’s show was a celebration of the band’s roots, with both Tyson and Wirtz reflecting on the emotional weight of performing in their hometown. Tyson expressed gratitude for the chance to share their project with friends and family, noting how validating it felt to bring pop music to Saskatchewan.

“(It) felt incredible,” Tyson told the Herald, “It was amazing to finally get to share Former Lovers with my friends and family. Me and Kay were able to play on a stage we grew up on. And we got to play it with a project we are very passionate about to a community that seems to have loved it.”

Wirtz, too, shared a personal moment, recalling her early stage fright as a child at the Rawlinson and how it felt to finally bring Former Lovers to life in the very town that many of the group’s songs were initially written.

“I had a moment…. standing backstage of being 8 years old again, in Cinderella and feeling worried about missing my cue to head onstage; but then we (Former Lovers) hit the stage, and it felt like home. It was a very special experience for me to bring back songs that had been written in Prince Albert but never really get shared; to sing them out into the crowd instead of as background music in the corner was magical. The art made its way back home,” Wirtz said.

Overall, Former Lovers’ show at the Rawlinson was a captivating mix of personal nostalgia, infectious energy, and genuine musical chemistry. The interplay between the band members was both tight-knit and dynamic, making for a show that was as fun as it was heartfelt.

While the more intimate duo set held a special magic, the full-band performances brought the music of Tyson and crew to life in an exciting new way. Former Lovers proved, on this night, they’re a band to watch as they continue to grow and make their mark beyond Saskatchewan.

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