The doors to the venue opened at six thirty, and when I arrived at seven it was still relatively empty, so I was able to snag a spot pretty close to stage. Momsen's band came on after two openers who weren't terrible but were nothing to write home about. Momsen, true to her reputation, was clad in leather panties, fishnets, and a low-cut shirt that read, "I fuck for Satan". However, her talent soon eclipsed her attire: her voice is sultry and rich, and her range is impressive. She seamlessly hit the high notes in songs like "Make Me Wanna Die" and "My Medicine". While her lyrics seem a bit too mature for a girl of seventeen, her skill is undeniable. She improvised a mashup of Muse and Oasis, and managed to give it her own unique spin. Momsen is also a natural stage presence: she seemed comfortable with her fans, inviting up two girls to dance with her on stage and seeming to siphon energy off the crowd. She made a few well placed drama-stirring comments, such as "I don't touch boys, I'm a ladies girl", and "Anyone drinking tonight? Good, okay, that's what this song's about." Momsen was flippant of her extreme eroticism, which allowed us in the audience to feel like children in on a naughty secret and added a spark to the crowd. While she self-promoted during the break between her songs, she wasn't obnoxious about it and seemed genuinely pleased to be performing in Toronto.
While it is safe to say Little J has grown up, I think Taylor Momsen has a long career ahead of her. One that may or may not include pants.
