At the end of their world tour, the boys of Half Moon Run couldn't ask for anything better than a series of sold-out concerts in front of their most enthusiastic and loyal audience: Quebecers.
The last concert at the Grand Théâtre de Québec that Le Journal attended was a triumph.
The audience was on its feet from start to finish, singing, dancing and giving standing ovations to their favorites, especially after the electrifying communion of “Call Me in the Afternoon.”
“It is a gift to end this in Quebec. “It felt like we were on a victory lap,” says Dylan Phillips, who we spoke to a few days after that magical evening.
The group Half Moon Run in concert at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, December 18, 2023. ****Photo by Jennifer McCord, provided by Half Moon Run**** Photo by Jennifer McCord, provided by Half Moon Run Cedric Belanger
A clip in Bas-du-Fleuve
The love story between the Montreal group and its adopted province, which has now lasted more than 10 years, continues to be beautifully written in 2023.
In addition to concerts in Montreal, Sherbrooke and Quebec, Half Moon Run reaffirmed its sense of belonging to Quebec by using the landscapes of Bas-Saint-Laurent for the video clip for the song Everyone's Moving Out East, which appears on its album Salt. published in spring.
“My fiancée comes from Trois-Pistoles, we know the region very well, I will celebrate Christmas there with my in-laws. I have always loved this place. The sunsets are magical,” says Dylan Phillips.
A festival to organize
Half Moon Run also recently announced that it will be hosting its own festival at the Olympic Park on May 30th. This will have a French name: L'Appel Montréal.
“Although Montreal is bilingual, we are in a French-speaking province,” explains the British Columbia musician, who speaks excellent French himself.
The group plans to place the names of four to eight artists on the poster for their event. At the moment only “Men I Trust” is known.
“I've always loved them, I still listen to them at home. It was a dream to have her at our festival,” says Dylan Phillips.
He wants L'Appel to become an annual event, but before looking too far into the future, one needs to define what it will be.
“There are so many possibilities. For example, we could set up a second stage near the picnic tables where people can eat. We have a lot of ideas and a lot of work ahead of us.”
2024: a year to redefine yourself
Aside from its activities related to its festival and other summer dates, Half Moon Run is planning a 2024 year dedicated to creativity.
With the work of readjusting to the trio formula following the departure of Isaac Symonds complete, it's time to “redefine our taste in music”, believes Dylan Phillips.
“What do we want to do as a trio? In which direction do we want to go? We don't know what it is yet, but we're ready to find out. That’s our goal this year.”