Nunavimmiut singer-songwriter Niivi Sinuupa and her band Niivi delivered a powerful metal performance at La Sotterenea in Montreal on Friday night. The show commemorated the Lilith Fair festival and supported local charities. Sinuupa shared new songs from their upcoming album amid an intimate, energetic crowd.
Niivi Sinuupa, a Nunavimmiut singer-songwriter, took the stage with her band Niivi at La Sotterenea on Saint-Laurent Street in Montreal for a charity event on Friday night. The performance was part of a two-day commemoration of Lilith Fair, the all-female music festival organized by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, which toured the United States and Canada from 1997 to 1999. Organized by McGill University’s Collective for Gender Equality and Jam for Justice, the concert aimed to donate all proceeds to the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and the Canadian-Palestinian Foundation of Quebec.
Sinuupa emphasized the event's significance, stating, “There are always shows that are super important to us, like this one,” during an interview inside the venue, whose walls are adorned with signatures from past bands. She added, “These are the causes that I am fighting for, and what my music is about.” As the final act of the night, Niivi brought a huge metal sound to an audience of fewer than 100, creating an intimate yet thunderous atmosphere. Sinuupa's powerful vocals paired with guitarist Kiril (Kirk) Koshkin's ferocious playing, drummer Gaël Parnas-Zver's intense rhythms, and bassist Ollie Cappello's chaotic vibes, prompting the crowd to mosh enthusiastically.
During the set, Sinuupa called out to any Inuit in the audience before covering the classic Nunavik song 'Quviasuppunga' by Charlie Adams. Though none responded, she noted that Inuit attendees would have danced and sung along. The performance also previewed two new songs from the band's upcoming album, slated for spring release, followed by a summer tour.