Last week, I witnessed The Trews live in Park Slope for a 30-minute stripped down performance before their set at Mercury Lounge the next day. After listening to their latest album, Hope & Ruin, all afternoon on repeat I was intrigued to see just how the Canadian four-piece would sound live.

While an energetic plugged in set tends to captivate the concertgoer, often it is a stripped down performance that best showcases a band’s talent. Having toured with everyone from the Rolling Stones and Robert Plant to Kid Rock, The Trews didn’t disappoint.

The band kicked things off with energetic title track, “Hope & Ruin” as frontman Colin MacDonald’s powerful vocals led the song. With catchy “woah-oh’s” and dynamic guitar interludes, The Trews captivated the room. The tongue-in-cheek “I’ll Find Someone Who Will” followed with beautiful harmonies and more aggressive guitar and percussion.

Next track, “One By One” continued to showcase the band’s talent with a solid guitar breakdown mid-track coupled with MacDonald’s wavering vocals and a fitting percussion beat while the energetic “Paranoid Freak” saw fans dancing along. Mid-song, the music stopped to showcase MacDonald alone. As the room stood silent, it was evident that the band left a mark on listeners.

Stand-out track “Poor Ol’ Broken Hearted Me” began a cappella before a funky bass and percussion beat took the lead. An impressive stripped down sound, I wish I could have witnessed The Trews plugged in set.

The band closed their performance by taking requests. Slower ballad “Stay With Me” continued to impress while the up-tempo “Hold Me in Your Arms” set the band apart with soulful vocals and powerful instrumental features. As the band ended their performance, they reminded the room that they’d be playing NYC’s Mercury Lounge the next night.

“Come on out and bring a date. If you don’t have a date, bring one of us,” guitarist John-Angus MacDonald said.

Currently on tour promoting their latest release, Hope & Ruin, be sure to catch The Trews live. Stay tuned for my interview with the band.