Living Dead Girl Bring Their “Exorcism” to The Rockpile

It had been 988 days since I last set foot inside The Rockpile, the local shrine to loud guitars that proudly declares, “Where Rock Will Never Die.” After nearly three years of pandemic silence, the chance to return felt surreal. The room wasn’t sold out, but the energy more than made up for it.

The night kicked off with a lineup of homegrown openers — Devilwitch, Saves9, and Durty Little Secrets — each keeping spirits high and heads nodding before the main event. But when Living Dead Girl hit the stage, the mood shifted from warm-up to full-blown resurrection.

Frontwoman Molly Rennick, flanked by Jonni Laww, Jordan Storring, and Anthony Fernando, led the charge through nearly every track from their debut album Exorcism (2021). The setlist was a darkly polished showcase of the band’s sound — a collision of gothic theatrics, heavy riffs, and glossy pop hooks.

They opened with “Alive,” the perfect reintroduction to a live stage. Songs like “Beautiful” and “Poltergeist” struck a balance between aggression and melody, while “Dirty Liar” and “Villain” gave Rennick room to flaunt her vocal range and stage charisma. The only song not from Exorcism was “Dysfunctional,” an unreleased track at the time that teased where the band was heading next — sharper, heavier, but still irresistibly catchy.

As the night closed with “Worship Me,” the crowd cheered loud and long. It wasn’t a massive show, but it felt meaningful — a reminder that Toronto’s rock scene still has a heartbeat, and that Living Dead Girl are a force worth watching.

Walking out into the cool November night, it was clear that the Rockpile’s longtime motto still holds true — rock will never die, and neither will the hunger for nights like this.

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Drew Osborne

I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.