RECAP: OCEAN ALLEY AT HISTORY IN TORONTO

Ocean Alley brought their signature surf psych blend to History in Toronto for the tenth stop of their ongoing North American tour. With their fifth studio album Love Balloon on the horizon, the Australian six-piece delivered a tight, focused set that leaned into both familiar favourites and their evolving new sound.

Photos by Kianna Sumitani / Backspin HQ

Kicking off the tour earlier this month on July 16 in Tampa, Florida, the band has already swept through Atlanta, Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, building momentum with each performance. This Toronto date marked their sixth-ever visit to the city, a journey that began back on June 14, 2018 at The Drake Hotel.

The set opened with Tangerine, immediately establishing the smooth yet punchy energy that defines Ocean Alley's live shows. Knees, Partner in Crime, and Tombstone followed, each blending elements of rock, reggae, and psychedelia with effortless cohesion. Newer material from Love Balloon, including the title track and Left of the Dealer, felt right at home in the mix.

Midway through the show, the band introduced Drenched, a brand-new and unreleased song, giving Toronto fans an early preview of what is to come. Its slow-building arrangement and layered instrumentation suggest a more introspective tone for the upcoming album, which was produced by Nick DiDia, known for his work with Bruce Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine.

The set also included highlights like Lemonworld, Double Vision, and Drinks and Cigars, before closing out the main portion with crowd favourites Simple Pleasures, Yellow Mellow, Infinity, and Confidence. As an encore, they returned with Touch Back Down, wrapping the night with the same fluid energy they carried throughout.

With 11 shows still remaining in North America, Ocean Alley will perform next in Chicago before appearances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and other major venues. After a brief break, the tour picks up again in October with dates across the southern United States before heading into Latin America, including long-anticipated stops in Mexico City, São Paulo, and Santiago.

Ocean Alley continue to refine their sound with each tour stop, and Toronto witnessed a band in full command of their next chapter. If Love Balloon is anything like what was previewed live, it is poised to be their most emotionally resonant work yet.

Remaining North American Tour Dates

July 31 - Chicago, IL at Outset Live

August 1 - Chicago, IL at Lollapalooza

August 3 - Houston, TX at House of Blues

August 4 - Austin, TX at Austin City Limits

August 6 - New Orleans, LA at House of Blues

October 8 – Nashville, TN at Brooklyn Bowl

October 10 - Dallas, TX at House of Blues

October 11- Austin, TX at Austin City Limits

October 13 - Kansas City, MO at The Truman

October 15 - Denver, CO at Mission Ballroom

October 17 - Los Angeles, CA at Hollywood Palladium

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