From TNR, we have always kept an eye on what’s brewing in the local scene and September 15, 2025 at L’Astral in Montreal was the night quannnic made their presence impossible to ignore. This was one of those rare shows that reminds you exactly why discovering new artists is the most exciting part of covering live music.

The set was intense from the very first moment, weaving dark sonic textures with moments of surprising melodic clarity. quannnic blends elements of alternative rock, post-punk, and dream pop in a way that feels genuinely fresh and wholly original. On stage, the band displayed a performative maturity that goes well beyond what you’d expect from an emerging act, every movement, every transition, every dynamic was precise and deliberate.

The undeniable highlight of the night came when they played snarky the track from their 2022 album kenopsia that has become the song we at TNR keep coming back to. From the first notes, the room shifted completely. There’s something haunting and captivating about that song that translates beautifully in a live setting, and hearing it performed with full energy in that intimate venue was a truly special moment. The crowd felt it too.

What struck us most was the chemistry between the musicians and the way they build tension across their songs, pulling the crowd through stretches of absolute quiet into sonic eruptions that hit the body. Montreal has something to be proud of with quannnic, and from TNR, we are fully convinced that the road ahead for them is wide open. We will be watching very closely.