Haim Bring Raw Rock Energy to Toronto on Their “I Quit” Tour

Haim’s first Toronto arena show balanced raw rock energy with emotional vulnerability, delivering big moments despite a few sound issues.

Terrence O'Connor / Courtesy Of The Artist

Haim’s first arena show in Toronto took place on Saturday, September 6, as part of their “I Quit” tour, which had only just kicked off a few days earlier. The walk from Union Station to Scotiabank Arena was surprisingly calm, almost too calm, which left me feeling a little uneasy. Considering that “I Quit” has been my most-listened-to album of the year, I expected a packed house, but to my surprise, the arena was far from full.

Haim Belongs to the Millennials

The crowd was also different from what I had anticipated. Haim has always resonated most strongly with the girls and the gays, but I didn’t realize it was Millennials that were their biggest fan base, and not Gen Z-ers like me. While waiting at the bar, which I maintain is one of the greatest upselling scams in live entertainment, I struck up a conversation with the person in line next to me. He told me he had first seen Haim back in 2017 at Massey Hall and had been chasing that same experience ever since. For him, Haim is one of those rare bands whose live performance elevates their music to another level entirely.

And as it turned out, he was absolutely right. The opening was nothing short of electric. A glowing red screen revealed each sister’s silhouette, one by one, framed dramatically behind bars. The stage design and visuals were striking, relying heavily on red, black, and white tones, with flashing lights and distorted imagery that created a distinctly rock-inspired aesthetic. During the song “Relationships,” the screen displayed real stories of love, heartbreak, and emotion, ultimately revealing that the narratives came from members of Toronto’s own band, The Beaches, who were dancing in the crowd.

Three Sisters, Three Vibes

From the very start, the sisters leaned into their rocker energy. Whether it was Danielle shredding electric guitar solos, jumping behind the drum kit, or all three of them taking part in a drum bridge, it was clear that Haim is a band with true rock-and-roll pedigree.

And yet, the audience made me pause. The sisters feel as though they were born in the wrong era. Their music channels retro energy in a modern landscape, and I could not help but think that if they had emerged in the 1970s, they would have rivaled Fleetwood Mac or The Rolling Stones. Perhaps because they are three long-haired Jewish sisters from Los Angeles, they are often dismissed as pop-adjacent rather than taken seriously within rock, but what they bring to the stage is decidedly not pop.

If I were to categorize each sister based on both her musical style and stage persona, it would look something like this. Danielle is the quintessential angsty rocker, channelling a raw Alanis Morissette energy, particularly in “Everybody’s Trying to Figure Me Out,” which fits her middle-child identity perfectly.

Este is the “sad girl with a bass,” openly crying during the performance of “Cry,” a song that is also my personal favorite from the new album. She radiates deep sensitivity, an older sister who feels everything.

Alana, the youngest, thrives in the spotlight and embraces the role of an ’80s pop queen, twirling across the stage like a born showgirl during “Spinning”. Her sense of humor also carried the night; at one point, she joked that it was her first time performing with a giant screen and close-up camera shots, and asked the crowd if they could check whether she had a “boogie” in her nose.

The fan-favorite “Gasoline” was another highlight, thanks in part to Taylor Swift’s association with the track. Alana, ever the chaotic Gen Z spirit, explained the song’s meaning in her own words: “It’s about when two people really love each other and something explodes.”

Terrence O'Connor / Courtesy Of The Artist

Technical Issues and Pacing Problems

There were a few noticeable technical issues. The sound was inconsistent, which is unfortunately a recurring complaint with Toronto’s larger venues. Friends of mine who attended Coldplay at Rogers Stadium and Morgan Wallen at Rogers Centre the night before reported similar problems. The pacing of the set also suffered slightly from longer-than-expected pauses between songs, which may have been connected to the lower-than-capacity crowd.

Still, Haim closed out the night on an undeniable high. Their three-song encore was perfectly constructed: “The Wire,” their first breakout hit that instantly transported me back to the summer of grade six; “Now I’m In It,” a track that radiated pure energy; and finally, “Down to Be Wrong,” a fitting, emotional closer that left the audience wanting more.

Why Haim Belongs in the Rock Canon

At their core, Haim are unapologetically themselves. They are unafraid to be emotional, unafraid to be imperfect, and unafraid to carve out space for women in a male-dominated rock landscape. Watching them command the stage was not only inspiring but a reminder of how powerful authenticity can be.