By the time Gigi Perez stepped onto the Mountain stage Sunday afternoon, the sun was high and the summer heat had settled in. Festival staff sprayed water over the crowd to keep us cool, which added to the easygoing atmosphere, but once Gigi began to sing, no one was thinking about the temperature anymore.

Her stage presence wasn’t flashy or dramatic—it didn’t need to be. She stood confidently, letting her voice carry the weight of every emotion and lyric. Calm and powerful, Gigi proved that you don’t need spectacle when you’ve got raw talent.

The set wasn’t heavy on theatrics. Earlier slots usually don’t come with a full production budget, but that didn’t matter. The music was more than enough. “Sugar Water” was a standout moment, made even more special when Gigi brought her sister on stage to help sing. Their harmonies were warm and intimate, and you could feel the connection between them. Later, when “Sailor Song” came on, the entire crowd erupted into a singalong, myself included. It was one of those rare festival moments that pulls everyone into sync.

There was no banter, no stories between songs. The storytelling happened through the music. It was my first time seeing Gigi live, and I came away amazed by her musicianship. Her voice was soaring, almost unreal at times. If I had to sum up her set in one word, it would be “beautiful.”

Gigi Perez didn’t need pyrotechnics or costume changes. She stood under the sun, sang her heart out, and made the entire crowd feel like they were part of something deeply personal. I won’t forget it anytime soon.

Review by: Chris Murphy, Photos by: Tim Snow

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Gigi Perez Warms Hearts in Sunny Montreal at Osheaga 2025