Live Review: G.U.S.H. at Loophole in Calgary, AB – A Night of Catharsis and Community
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - G.U.S.H. at Loophole
There’s a certain kind of magic that only happens in sweaty, dimly lit rooms like Loophole. That magic made itself known on May 9th when Bookburner Productions brought together a cathartic pairing of shoegaze and grunge with performances by Mother Daughter, Innerouter, and G.U.S.H. The night was as emotionally raw as it was immersive—a testament to the power of live music as both a communal and healing force.
Opening the night, Innerouter enveloped the crowd in a dreamlike fog of swirling guitars and distant, melancholic vocals. Their shoegaze textures were perfectly suited to the intimate chaos of Loophole’s low-lit interior, the band’s layered guitar effects washed over the audience like ocean tides. It was gentle yet powerful, each wave of sound eroding away the day’s anxieties which felt like a recurring theme throughout the night.
Guitar tones bled into each other seamlessly, creating an almost meditative state among attendees on tracks like “Solid Meow” off their recent release Get Real. Heads swayed in unison as if the entire crowd had been lulled into the same collective dream. Even when the band leaned into heavier, fuzzier sounds like “Afraid of Everything”, it opened up a portal to elsewhere (which we needed since the room felt like it was 30+ degrees).
As their final notes faded out into warm feedback, it felt like we’d all been gently set back down on solid ground, ready for what was next.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Innerouter at Loophole
Taking the stage next was G.U.S.H., returning with their fully formed lineup for the first time since releasing their latest record, I Hate Myself. If Innerouter opened the door to emotional vulnerability, G.U.S.H. kicked it wide open and stormed through it, pouring every ounce of anguish and triumph directly into the faces of a packed, sweat-soaked room.
Lead vocalist Roger LeBlanc, wearing an unforgettable “I ♥ Transylvania” t-shirt, was a force of nature. His presence was magnetic—equal parts raw vulnerability and commanding intensity. Between blistering songs, Roger took moments to speak candidly about mental health, highlighting the importance of reaching out and breaking the silence around personal struggles. At the merch table, he sat surrounded by colourful merch designed by Matthew Springer (also in Dial Up who is our 2025 spring cover feature) and mental health resources, making his advocacy as much a part of the night as the music itself.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - G.U.S.H. at Loophole
The set roared to life on moments like lead single “Alcohol,” a crushing song that perfectly set the tone for the night—heavy, unflinching, and cathartic. G.U.S.H.’s sound is a fusion of classic grunge grit with a modern emo edge, amplified by Roger’s masterful use of a chorus pedal that gave lyrics a huge, anthemic lift when it needed. The venue walls seemed to vibrate with every downstroke of his guitar, and yet, there were moments of melodic clarity that reminded everyone of the delicate emotions sitting just beneath the surface of rage.
“Starburst,” one of my personal favourites off the new album, took things in a more shoegaze direction, with soaring melodic lines cutting through the dense walls of distortion. It was during this track that the emotional core of G.U.S.H.’s set fully revealed itself—pain and beauty intertwined, with lines like “I don’t think I’ve loved as much as I do now. It didn’t make a difference to me. I don’t care what they say, it doesn’t make a difference to me.” Sentiments that I think we can all relate to if we’ve experienced feelings of depression, loneliness, and isolation. It’s what G.U.S.H. do so well - combining imagery of positivity and vibrancy (such as the artwork surrounding I Hate Myself that depicts graffiti styled happy faces, video game consoles, and hot pink cartoon style characters that feel pulled from the 90’s) yet tackle themes of sadness. These elements emphasize the glimmers of hope in the darkness when it feels inescapable.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - G.U.S.H. at Loophole
The highlight of the night came, unsurprisingly, with the performance of the title track, “I Hate Myself.” The sheer intensity of the song seemed to draw every bead of sweat and every shouted lyric directly from the deepest corners of the crowd’s consciousness. As Roger screamed through the chorus, his guitar swirling through the air as he dropped to his knees to close out the set with an intensifying guitar solo.
Despite the sweltering heat inside Loophole—where the air felt almost thick enough to cut with a knife—there was a palpable reluctance to let the night end. As the final feedback faded and the house lights rose, one attendee was overheard saying, “I don’t even want to leave… I could have just stayed at this show all night.” That sentiment perfectly summed up the night’s energy.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - G.U.S.H. at Loophole
In a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control, where silence and isolation creep in far too easily, shows like this remind us why live music matters. It’s not just entertainment; it’s therapy, it’s connection, it’s survival. If you ever needed proof that music can save lives—or at the very least, make life a little more bearable—this night at Loophole was it. And as we all stepped back out into the cool night air, hearts a little heavier but somehow lighter all at once, it was impossible not to feel grateful for the people, and the music, that make nights like this possible.
If you missed the show - catch G.U.S.H. next weekend at the Palomino for Fulfillment’s album release show with Turbo Virgins and Floral Green, May 23, 2025. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.