NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Indie pop band Tennis, comprised of the married couple Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, stopped by History in Toronto in the midst of their “Pollen” tour. Their sixth studio album was released back in February on their own label Mutually Detrimental and three singles, “One Night With the Valet”, “Let’s Make a Mistake Tonight”, and “Forbiddden Doors”, have already been released. Listening to their music transports you back to the 70s with their soft rock mixed with a little dream pop, disco and even country! I was waxing nostalgic in the 70s until the lyric “but all I can see is the pollen fucking me up” brought me back to the current day! Nevertheless, a wonderful sound that makes me want to chill and dance at the same time.
Opening for Tennis was Kate Bollinger, a singer songwriter from Virginia. Her light airy voice is the perfect vehicle for her mix of country and folk music, putting the crowd in a mellow mood, just right as a prelim for Tennis. In between songs, she was very soft-spoken, matching her singing voice, and seemed shy. Check out her last EP “Look at it in the Light”!
Click on photos to enlarge
As Tennis took they stage, bathed in colored light and a psychedelic backdrop, they opened with “One Night with the Valet” . The 70s soft rock theme was confirmed with Moore sporting Olivia Newton’s curly hair from Grease and Riley with a John Denver styled haircut! Moore would explain they had left a record label awhile back because they didn’t want to be told what their music should sound like or what they should look like. Why should they? Their wonderful melodies just put you in the right mood to sway and dance! And even though electronic keyboards producing that groove are central to their music, Riley would come through with some riveting guitar solos. Even though Moore said that they wouldn’t play as much of “Pollen” because people wanted to hear their hits, Tennis managed to squeeze in seven tracks from their latest amidst a whopping nineteen song set!! I doubt any of their fans could complain about the songs played during this tour. If you want to reminisce about old times or just dance to some smooth music, catch Tennis on their tour in a city near you!
Click on photos to enlarge
