Paulie Boy Blues Brings Fire and Feeling to The Horseshoe Tavern
- jaybroderick
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Canada - Toronto’s legendary Horseshoe Tavern has a way of turning any night into something electric, and March 27 was no exception. While Paulie Boy Blues was technically the opener, for myself, and for a handful of fans who clearly knew what they were in for, this night was all about finally catching the bluesman in action. After interviewing him back in January, I have been itching to see the real thing. This was his second visit to Toronto, his second time at The Horseshoe, and after missing the first round, I wasn't about to let history repeat itself.
But before we get to the main event, the night’s second band, Animal, deserves their moment.
Animal
Animal brought a completely different energy, looser, groovier, and unmistakably local. As soon as they stepped onstage, fans drifted closer, bobbing and dancing like they’d been waiting for this exact vibe all week.
Guitarist Jordan Wiener was locked in from the first note, riding a wah‑heavy tone that instantly triggered a flashback to the very memorable guitar solo in Edie Brickell’s “What I Am.” Something about the guitarist, be it his look, or his his groove, stirred up memories of a gone-too-soon high school friend, even though Ian was a drummer. One of those strange, unexpected associations that only live music can conjure.
By the end of their second track, the whole band had fallen into a full‑body groove, heads and shoulders bouncing in unison. Between songs, they took swigs of their beverages of choice while the drummer checked in with the room: “How’s the sound out there at The Horseshoe?” The singer followed with a shift in tone... “We’re gonna bring it down a bit… this one’s about a girl I wrote ’cause she’s pretty.” What followed was a genuine ballad, soft around the edges but still rooted in their rhythmic DNA.
They picked things back up immediately afterward, sending dancers back into motion with tight harmonies and a rhythm section that never once lost the pocket. By the end of their set, the band was laughing, joking, and clearly having the time of their lives. The crowd fed off it. The jams were contagious.
Paulie Boy Blues
But the real reason we were here was for Paulie Boy Blues. The band hit the stage right on their scheduled 9:00 start. Unfortunately, there was some misunderstanding at the door with my access, so I wasn't prepared once the bell rang. I scrambled to get my gear on as the band proceeded through their opening track with the kind of presence that makes you straighten up a little. This was the band's second time in Toronto... second time at The Horseshoe... and you could feel how much it meant to the trio. For myself, it was long overdue. After missing his first visit, finally seeing him in the flesh felt like a small personal victory.
As the band progresses through to their set to original track “Chasing the Dragon,” drummer Rael Griffen wasted no time proving he was a force of nature, pounding hard, fast, and furious. The kind of playing that makes you blink twice and wonder how someone’s arms can move that quickly without catching fire. After which, Griffen leaned into the mic with a grin: “It’s great to be in St. Catharines!” a joking callback to where they’d played the night before.
As the band's frontman, Paulie Boy urged the thus far smaller crowd to come closer, closing the distance between performer and listener. The band then tore into “Early One Morning.” This was the moment Paulie Boy fully revealed himself. Despite his mere quarter-century existence, he plays with the jam‑heavy swagger of an electric blues lifer, face contorting, body twisting, guitar practically an extension of his nervous system. At one point he scraped the strings along the mic stand, coaxing out a raw, metallic wail that felt straight out of a smoky roadhouse.
“You guys like Jimi Hendrix?” the electric-blues guitarist asked next. The small crowd cheered. “I sure do! We’re gonna play a couple songs from Jimi.” As he tuned his guitar preparing for the mini-Jimi set, he joked, “I sure wish I could stay in tune. They say only cowboys can stay in tune… and I’m definitely not a cowboy.” The band then rolled into "Voodoo Child" with reverence. Paulie channeled the spirit, not the shadow. For the next track, "Who Knows", Paulie invited the crowd to sing along. The ending shot upward like lightning, sharp, bright, and explosive. Griffen was absolutely on fire, pushing the band harder with every measure.
To a house of cheers, Paulie asked again for the crowd’s voices, this time with a grin that stretched ear to ear. It was clear he was loving his craft. “Come on... 'Let the Good Times Roll!'" He stepped to the front of the stage, right hand raised while his left hand danced across the fretboard. It was pure joy... unfiltered, unpretentious, and deeply infectious.
Before the last track of their set, Paulie Boy thanked the crowd sincerely, telling them how much it meant to be here. The band eased into their final groove "Machine Gun", and midway through, the frontman laid his guitar on the stage and slipped off as drummer Rael unleashd a solo that shook the room. It was the perfect ending... raw, playful, and full of heart.
For a musician on only his second Toronto visit, he and the band played like they’d been headlining the city for years. After interviewing him in January, seeing him live felt like watching the missing piece snap into place. If this is what round two looks like, we’re already counting down to round three. Let's hope it's not too long a wait.
Concert Photo Gallery
Paulie Boy Blues Online
Show Date: March 27, 2026
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