LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: The Damn Truth @ O2 Academy, Islington

Friday July 21st 2023

Support from The Cold Stares

The Damn Truth are a four-piece band based in Montreal consisting of Lee-la Baum (lead vocals/guitar), Tom Shemer (lead guitar/vocals), PY Letellier (bass/vocals), and Dave Traina (drums/vocals). The band was formed nearly 11 years ago. Since then, they have toured around Canada, the USA, and Europe and opened for prominent artists like Styx, ZZ Top, Rival Stones, and many more. 

I will be frank when I got the opportunity to photograph The Damn Truth, I had to go and Google the band and see what I agreed to. At first, I thought it was another small band formed a few years ago with a handful of singles on their account. Oh, how mistaken I was. 3 albums, 33 songs, and almost 14,000 thousand monthly listeners only on Spotify! My excitement to see them suddenly went through the roof. 

On Friday, I headed to O2 Academy Islington in London. That was my first time photographing in the venue, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I sat at the front of the stage and waited. The support band, The Cold Stares, went on just a few minutes after 7 pm, warmed up the crowd, and excited everyone about The Damn Truth. 

I'm telling you, when The Damn Truth hit the stage, my jaw dropped, and within seconds, I knew this would be an unforgettable show, and no, this time, I wasn't mistaken. They started strong with the single "This Is Who We Are Now" from the latest album, “Now or Nowhere”. Straight into "Full On You" and "Too Late" from their first album, "Dear in the Headlights". At this point, I'm questioning whether I should drop my camera and join the crowd. The following songs they played were "Pirates and Politicians", "Lonely", "Only Love", and "Look Innocent". This was when I realised that my only love was Tom and his guitar standing before me. Suddenly, I stood in shock when he jumped off the stage and headed into the crowd. Everyone started to scream. Lee is giving her all. The voice, the moves, and the skills while performing a few songs from their second album, "Devilish Folk", "The Fire", and "Get With It". She screams, "Can you hear me? Can we feel me?" and we definitely can. Dave slowly begins to play with his drums, and we hear the melody to "Tomorrow". The crowd starts to scream, and this is where he starts to show his outstanding skills. Shortly after, they disappear but quickly reappear for the encore. PY raises his guitar above the head, and "Love is Blindness" plays. "Heart is Cold" ends the 90-minute show. Lee invites everyone for a drink and a quick chat at the back of the venue. They thank their fans for coming, and a few seconds later, they disappear. 

The Damn Truth has everything. Outstanding songs, great people, and of course, I wouldn't be myself if I didn't mention their absolutely stunning, very hippie, vintage, rockish style. The performance was full of energy. They absolutely delivered. Make sure to go and check them on their UK tour. They still have a few more shows to play around the country.