Amanda Marshall brings big voice and heartfelt energy to Montreal’s jazz festival
Posted June 27, 2025 6:48 pm.
Last Updated June 27, 2025 10:53 pm.
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal welcomed Canadian pop-rock singer Amanda Marshall to Théâtre Maisonneuve on Friday night, where she played to a sold-out crowd with her signature high-energy performance.
Reflecting on her return to Montreal, Marshall shared her deep appreciation for both the city and its iconic festival.
“It feels fantastic,” she said. “I’ve been to the jazz festival before, and it’s obviously one of the most revered festivals nationally and internationally.”
She also talked about what makes performing in Montreal special.
“I always love coming to Montreal. People say that all the time, that Montreal really is one of their favorite cities. It’s one of our all-time favorite cities to play.”
“The culture here is so, I think, reverential towards music. It’s so unique, and people have a real kind of deep, profound connection to a lot of different kinds of music, which is why I think the festival works so well.”
A stage, a seat, and a spark
Though Marshall has performed in Montreal before — including a 2023 show at the Corona Theatre — this was her first time on stage at Théâtre Maisonneuve.
“Our show is a very spirited show. It’s a very kind of like up-tempo show. It’s a high-energy show, which doesn’t always translate well in theaters,” she said. “But I find in theaters that people, it can be kind of a more comfortable experience for people, which makes it a lot easier for the band on stage. It’s different than a club environment or an outdoor environment.”
Beyond genre
While the word “jazz” is in the festival’s name, Marshall said events like this are rarely about a single genre.
“You play these festivals and they all have different names like the Jazz Festival. You know, and there are all kinds of different kinds of music,” she said. “These festivals start out as an outlet for certain types of music. And then if they’re done right, like this one is, they grow exponentially over time, which allows, I think, the individual artists themselves to expand. And it brings more, it brings a sort of a wider sense of community and music to the festival itself.”
Her performance, she added, reflected a range of influences. “Our show is, it’s kind of an eclectic show. And we sort of pull from all different backgrounds and influences.”
She also shared her admiration for Mavis Staples, who had performed the night before. “She’s 85, she’s still doing it. But she is incorporating sort of current material into her set list, which I think is so important to really keep, to keep yourself and the people around you kind of engaged.”
New fans, familiar songs
Marshall reflected on how her audience has evolved — and how her music continues to resonate.
“I’ve had kind of a weird up-and-down career because I was absent for a really long period of time,” she said.
She explained that many in her current audience are actually the children of those who bought her first record and are now seeing her perform for the first time.
“One of the things that’s so unexpectedly moving to me is how, I think, how valuable, how reverential people are towards this material,” she said. “People have had births and deaths and marriages and they’ve raised their children to these songs. They know the songs.”
Because of that deep connection, Marshall said she’s always trying to find a delicate balance in her setlist between new and old material. “You want to give people what they want, which I think the show does,” she added.
A Canadian summer tradition
Performing in Canada during the summer, Marshall said, has a special kind of magic.
“I think audiences in Canada have a really special relationship with summertime music, because it’s a time of opportunity. So everybody kind of comes out of their house, whether you’re at your house or you’re at a cottage.”
She also highlighted the significance of Montreal for artists.
“One of the things that makes this festival so great is that Montreal already has that existing kind of star system. There’s star system on the French side, star system on the English side, and they are so appreciative of music in general.”
Marshall went on to explain that playing at this festival is something musicians take pride in and a chance to connect by attending each other’s shows.
“It is among musicians, it is one of the things that like, ‘oh, you’re playing the festival, great,’ you know, I hope. And it’s one of those times when everybody wants to see everybody else’s show too, which is great. You know, musicians want to get out and see other musicians. So yeah, I love coming here and I love this festival.”
Looking ahead
Though Friday’s concert was sold out, Marshall promised more chances to see her live. She currently has fall tour dates planned with Bryan Adams.
“I’m in the studio right now,” she said. “Out of the studio on stage, and then back into the studio. Hopefully in the next year or two, we’ll be back with new material, a new record.”
She left fans with a simple message: “We love you, Montreal. We’ll see you soon.”
