With a newly released album that tells of both morals and belief, along with a collection of well-remembered older material at the ready, Montreal’s Half Moon Run deliver their own musical sermon at a former Holy Church at Trinity, Bristol.

A sell-out show in an intimate and impressive building only begs the question, how long before this group no longer perform for audiences of 600, but instead double that, in larger venues. There is a sense that it wont take much time at all and opener ‘Turn Your Love’, is exactly why the clock is ticking at an impressive rate. Strip lights dot the stage, flicking on and off and entwine themselves between the four band members.

By jumping straight into such a quick first song, the group allow themselves to impressively balance their set throughout the evening with more moderate tracks such as ‘Nerve’ and ‘Unofferable’. All is as it should be and this is without doubt a reflection in the band members’ attitudes on stage. Lead singer Devon Portielje smiles and thanks the cheering Bristol audience for returning after the original shows rescheduling and glances at guitarist Conner Molander, who is also sharing a moment of such gratitude.

Half Moon Run’s live show never seems to seek out an easy route, and without doubt, the thought of giving a performance that doesn't meet expectation is totally out of the question. The band play with passion and sincerity, and honestly look to be enjoying every note that is travelling through the old church.

New additions from recent release Sun Leads Me On, work well in the set alongside favourites from previous album Dark Eyes, but none more so than ‘Full Circle’. An obvious audience pleaser that has the crowd singing every word directly back to the Canadian group.

Realisation hits hard. Half Moon Run are building something thoroughly noteworthy and everyone in the building knows it.

After a highly successful debut with Dark Eyes in 2012, Half Moon Run return in 2015 with a much anticipated new release, Sun Leads Me On. The Montreal-based quartet present for a second time with all the finite details that contributed to their popularity with both critics and audiences the first time round. The intricacies within the songs are what make the album a colourful stockpile of material.

The delicate FleetWood Mac suggestiveness in ‘I Can’t Figure Out What’s Going On’ sits unfazed alongside the snappy and dark ‘Consider Yourself’, this seems to be a trending theme. It is as though Half Moon Run have purposely sought out more freedom for the follow up. Moving from a primarily indie, rock and folk persuasion on their debut, the album has the same characteristics but with added texture and dexterity. More electronic than its predecessor, Sun Leads Me On has given the group yet another musical avenue to broaden their already honourable capabilities. 

Although there are new pieces to the Half Moon Run jigsaw, the group still know how to produce beautifully elegant and profound tracks. ‘Hands In The Garden’, ‘Turn Your Love’ and ‘Everybody Wants’ are all enlightening, engaging, and contain great vocal performances with lyrical content to match. Full of thought, purpose and meaning. Sun Leads Me On is a very well compiled collection of tracks. Showing the group’s maturity and growth in its finest form.

Unafraid, courageous and full of confidence. Some songs may seem gentle and unthreatening, but the true threat, is how brilliant the group are at pulling off these types of tracks. Not many can come close to such execution. But on this release, Half Moon Run aren't happy leaving listeners with a mellow tale of heart rupturing sadness, instead, ‘Trust’ is a hard hitting synth dance track that is massively infectious. Its a great way to finish a clever album.  Sun Leads Me On is catchy, resilient and full of everything that fans had previously loved about this band.

You can buy Sun Leads Me On via Amazon & iTunes