The Sheepdogs on tour: retro tastes, modern momentum

# Scene: London, Ontario

# Sound and set

On stage Ewan Currie and Ricky Paquette trade guitar parts that recall Thin Lizzy's twin-lead approach during "Find The Truth." The set moves between rootsy staples such as "Nobody" and newer, softer songs like "I Do." The band's mix of guitar-driven riffs and warm, melodic vocals produces what one onlooker called "tough guys singing sweetly."

A turning point in the set is when the familiar bass line of "Feeling Good" drops in. The song has recent cultural associations—used by the Toronto Blue Jays as a victory song in 2015 and again as the Canadian hockey team's goal anthem at the 2026 Winter Olympics—which amplifies crowd reaction. The moment becomes a communal release: cheering, dancing, and the odd thrown bra that lands at bassist Ryan Gullen's feet.

# How they use retro influences

The Sheepdogs don't disguise their sources. Currie cites archetypal rock singers—Elvis and country voices like Waylon Jennings—when talking about the emotional side of their delivery. He also points to power-pop touchstones like Badfinger and Big Star for their blend of raw feeling and strong guitar hooks.

That blend is the band's working aesthetic: faithful to 1970s tonalities but arranged to sound immediate onstage. The result is a sonic identity that, to the audience, reads less like pastiche and more like an enduring strength.

# Longevity as strategy

Bassist Ryan Gullen frames the band's longevity as a deliberate challenge: "How do you keep a band after fifteen years of success, still growing, not putting out the 'greatest hits' album, still putting out good new music and keeping people engaged?" The answer implied across the show: steady touring, a setlist that balances new and old, and songs that trade on familiar textures while offering fresh hooks.

# Local colour and routine

Before the show the band moved through the town's everyday spots—Covent Garden Market and nearby cafes—side by side with students and locals. The tour stops read like practical life on the road rather than celebrity movement: meals, gym sessions, and short walks between venues.

# What this looks like live

• Tight guitar harmonies and riff-heavy arrangements.
• Vocal lines that favor warmth and nostalgia over irony.
• Setlists built to trigger communal reactions through specific songs with broader cultural resonance.

# Bottom line

The Sheepdogs translate their affection for 1970s rock into a repeatable live formula. They keep modern audiences engaged by pairing familiar tonal references with sincere songwriting and a steady touring approach. The show in London is less about retro revivalism and more about using those references to sustain a band across years of activity.