In today’s fast-moving world, where doom scrolling is engineered by algorithms on every app, “slowing down” feels harder than ever.
A live show, however, is designed to quiet your mind—even if only for an hour—and demand attention to the performers on stage.
Hailing from Guelph, Ontario, neo-soul music and art project SHEBAD, comprised of Claire Voy (Vocals/Guitar), Ciccio Spagnolo (Bass/Keys/Flute), Emil White (Keys/Bass/Sax), Bridget Walsh (Violin/Trumpet/BG Vox), and Emmitt Leacock (Drums/MC) has been on tour for the past few weeks and recently delivered a standout performance at Brooklyn’s Sultan Room.
The venue itself is unique—a tall staircase leads up to a patio-style rooftop, lined with basket-weave fencing that blocks views of the surrounding buildings.
On Wednesday, September 3rd, it hosted this deeply artistic, message-driven band for an hour-plus set that had the audience clapping, oohing, and aahing.
It was a performance that held the audience’s attention every step of the way—making it nearly impossible to reach for your phone, unless it was to capture a snippet of their live set.
Watching the five-piece switch instruments and trade places throughout the night, it was clear they share a profound bond—one that’s amplified by their message, Music is the Answer which also happens to be the title of their latest album.
It’s hard not to draw a comparison to Hiatus Kaiyote, with the changing rhythms and jazz-inspired top-line melodies that dance above jazzy chord progressions—but SHEBAD is entirely their own band.
Claire Voy might be singing to her heart’s content, but she makes it clear that she couldn’t be up there without her four comrades. Voy leans gracefully into her role while everyone plays their solos and politely steps aside to let each member have their moment to shine—highlighting the deep respect for everyone’s individual artistry throughout the set.
Their live show brings their music to life in a new way. With how sonically rich each song is, it’s obvious the band cares deeply about their arrangements.
Combined with such a tight performance, it’s clear these musicians are underrated—hidden pros who deserve far more attention from the public.
With each band member juggling multiple instruments and slipping between them with ease, the set felt like watching an old-world troupe—psychedelic textures colliding with the spirit of a Renaissance tavern, where a bard’s fiddle sparks stomps and claps.
Photo Credit: Ellie Gilbert Bair
Only this time, the role of the fiddle was taken up by Bridget Walsh on electric violin, and yes, the stomping really did happen.
Voy even jumped into the audience to dance with individual audience members during one of the final songs of the night.
There’s clearly magic in their music, as everyone was transported by listening and watching their vibe in real time.
To me, their journey is just beginning, and it’s a promising one given how magnetic their energy is the moment they take the stage.
