Ducks Ltd. played the MFA – 7/17

Toronto indie rockers Ducks Ltd. stopped off at the museum with support from NYC’s Trace Mountains.

__________

I love an unconventional setting for the gig. Hence, I was thrilled to hear that not only were Canadian duo Ducks Ltd. making their way to Boston after a handful of recent tours routing them elsewhere, but they’d also be taking over the Museum of Fine Arts’ central courtyard for the occasion. Boston’s MFA has paid host to shows on and off over the years, but I hadn’t seen one since Vampire Weekend alum Rostam played the museum’s indoor theater space back in 2018, and I’d never caught one outdoors. Humidity of the July evening aside, the setting was a lovely place to take in a set from one of my favorite recent discoveries.

As Ducks Ltd., main members Tom McGreevy and Evan Lewis craft effortlessly catchy indie-pop powered by caffeinated strums and weary lyrics disguised in buoyant melodies. It’s catnip for a certain type of guitar music devotee, and the duo execute it perfectly. 2021’s Modern Fiction and last year’s Harm’s Way are both in and out in less than 30 minutes but will stay rattling around your head for days.

Expanded to a four-piece at the MFA, the band delivered a tight, energetic set delivering on all of those distinctions, ending with a rousing take on signature song “18 Cigarettes.”

Trace Mountains – the current project of ex-LVL UP leader Dave Benton – handled opening duties with a set of pastoral indie rock that synced perfectly with the setting sun.

Here’s hoping for more courtyard gigs to come. Check out more photos from this one below.