By Wayne Baggs
At Toronto’s legendary The Danforth Music Hall, Lowest of the Low turned May 8 into a full-scale celebration of memory, resistance, and community. Performing as part of the 35th anniversary run for Shakespeare My Butt, the band sounded remarkably vital — not like a nostalgia act replaying old glories, but a group still emotionally invested in every lyric and chorus.
Opening act Kingdom of Birds delivered a sharp and atmospheric set that perfectly warmed up the room. Their textured guitars and moody arrangements created an intimate mood before the headliners exploded onto the stage. The pairing worked beautifully: Kingdom of Birds brought the tension and introspection, while Lowest of the Low delivered the release.
Ron Hawkins remained the emotional center of the evening, equal parts street poet and pub philosopher. Songs like “Rosy and Grey,” “Bleed a Little While Tonight,” and “Gamble” still carried the same bruised idealism that made the band essential Canadian voices in the early ’90s. The crowd — spanning longtime fans and younger converts — sang nearly every word back at the stage, transforming the Danforth into something closer to a neighbourhood gathering than a concert venue.
What stood out most was the warmth. Between songs, Hawkins spoke with gratitude and humour, while the band played with the chemistry of musicians who genuinely enjoy sharing a stage together. For two hours, Toronto felt smaller, kinder, and more hopeful — exactly what a Lowest of the Low show should do.
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