Performance review: The Paperboys

As a season opener for the New Moon Folk Club, Vancouver’s The Paperboys excelled in getting the crowd up, dancing, singing, and waving candles as they performed an energetic, multi-genre set. 

The Paperboys, formed in 1992, have roughly 4,300 shows under their belt. They’re known for their multi-genre performances, mixing and pulling from everywhere that interests them. Stu Moir, the artistic director of the New Moon Folk Club, described the tour veterans’ sound as “too much fun folk,” which I’m sure many would agree with. The six-piece band is composed of flute, fiddle, trombone, guitar, bass, and drums. While they have released nine records, they did not limit themselves to playing originals. 

They began with the most streamed track to come out of their discography, “California.” Their solid crowd work got the audience singing along for the chorus. If anyone wasn’t aware this was their most streamed song, they would be post-performance with the energy it garnered. The track comes off their 2005 record The Road to Ellenside, which by my guess is one of their favourites. They went on to play three tracks off the record and detailed its creation — it being recorded in a friend’s mansion in London. 

While their originals were premeditated and well-practiced, the band’s energy is that of an improvisational jam band. All insanely talented with their instruments, the band ran through their set with each member performing an impromptu solo. The first solo was Nick LaRiviere on the trombone. He got the loudest applause of the night and left all the remaining songs feeling empty until he came in. Only Kalissa Landa’s fiddle solo pulled a similar reaction, other than the laughs Geoffrey Kelly got with his humorous spoken-word poetry. 

Towards the end, the band smoothly transitioned to covering choruses from well-known songs, but with a ska beat. This was the most jam band-sounding part of the show. They performed notable fan favourites like “3 Little Birds,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and “Blister in the Sun” and had the audience moving and singing. 

Finishing off, they played slower and more emotional tracks that still maintained crowd engagement. Overall, the band played a very high energy multi-genre set that audiences will want to see again. Kelly noted that “if you had to go to a country, Italy’s a good one.” I’d say that if anyone had to go see a show, The Paperboys will put on a good one.