Electronic duo Sultan + Shepard played an energetic live set that managed to be both emotionally uplifting and a dance floor rager. The Circle in Time: Trilogy tour at the remarkable venue New City Gas brought the duo back to where it all started: Montreal. Throughout the night, longtime collaborators Ossama Al Sarraf (Sultan) and Ned Shepard (Shepard) delivered cinematic builds, deep house grooves, and the kind of bass that is felt in the depths of the soul. They opened the set with Memories, a track that evokes nostalgic bliss through sweeping soundscapes and enchanting melodies. The crowd was fully invested — swaying, bopping or levitating as the beat requested. The energy in the room was equal parts homecoming, and full-blown spiritual experience. Sultan + Shepard collaborator Tishmal also made an appearance, adding her ethereal vocals and a beautiful je ne sais quoi to the tracks Losing Ground and Back Through You. From layered synths to melodic drop after melodic drop, the duo reminded everyone why it’s remained a staple in the electronic music scene for nearly two decades — evolving the genre while never losing sight of the dance floor.
