Take My Hand: Picture This at WayHome 2017

In the early afternoon sun and heat, Picture This took to the WayBright stage at WayHome and introduced themselves to Canada for the first time.

The Irish hit makers, brought a ton of energy to their set, firing into their songs without hesitation, and charming the WayHome crowd with their music and accents. Bringing together a rock and roll sound, and pop/folk lyrics, they bend genres… and they know it. We sat down with Jimmy and Ryan after their set, and they explained that they’re perfectly happy to to worry about fitting into a single genre’s expectations. Their goal, they told me, is to create uplifting music, songs that people want to hear and smile and sing along with.

On stage, that desire shone through as they played their songs and the crowd clapped and danced along from one track to the next. To the band it was an unexpected reaction, to us, it seemed reasonable. Let’s Be Young, All For You, Never Change, and Take My Hand all connected with the audience in an organic and rather lovely way.

Back home, Picture This are getting used to those types of reactions. They’ve sold out historic venues, opened for The 1975, had their 2016 debut EP stay on the charts for a year – and just sold out a show in under five minutes, adding a second show for good measure.

That popularity started online. Before a record deal, before a record, before a single live show, the band started writing and releasing music to the masses and building their following. That DIY attitude continues now, with the band writing and playing their own songs, as well as conceiving and shooting their own music videos.

The WayHome crowd showed their appreciation one more time as the band finished their set, chanting Picture This as they left the stage. There wasn’t an encore, but the good news is that the boys will be in Toronto on September 14 at the Velvet Underground.

During our hangout I asked 2 more questions that I really wanted to know the answer to…

1: If you were putting your music on a playlist, what other bands would you put on that list?
Answers: Snow Patrol, The 1975, 30 Seconds to Mars, Oasis, Coldplay.

2: What Irish Whiskey would you recommend to this Canadian boy?
Answer: Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey (with the caveat that it’s expensive, and should be saved for a special occasion)

With songwriting skills and passion to spare, plus the talent and charm it takes to woo a crowd, we’re sure that we haven’t heard the last of Picture This… and we’d bet that you’ll be hearing them too.

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.