On Monday (April 13th, 2026), Carly Cosgrove brought The Spring Cleaning Tour – their first ever headline tour – to Toronto’s Hard Luck Bar. The “Philly Nostalgiacore” band made sure it was a night of dancing, moshing, and endless sing-along moments.
Opening the show was Toronto’s own Kicksie. The indie-pop artist and her band warmed up the crowd with their infectious energy and fun voice effects. They were specifically added to the lineup just for the Toronto show and were a perfect and diverse sound for the bill.
Next up was “fake emo” band Summerbruise from Indianapolis, Indiana. The crowd swayed along to songs like “Man! I Feel Like a Dumbass!” and “Dead Daddog 20/20.” A highlight of their set was when Leisure Hour guitarist Frank Blation joined them to sing a part of their song “Never Bothered.” Moments like these were prominent throughout the night, as various members of the bands joined the others on stage. During Carly Cosgrove’s set, Summerbruise members even took to the stage to play the cowbell during “Fluff My Pillow” and also helped out with technical things while they performed. These moments prove that The Spring Cleaning bill is not just a collection of bands that play similar music genres. It is a tour that prioritizes friendship and support between bands during a time when touring as a smaller artist is extremely difficult.
Indiana was also represented when Muncie’s Leisure Hour took stage. The emo band opened their set with “IF I COULD KILL YOU (I WOULD),” which saw singer Isaiah Neal jumping into the crowd. The band moved from song to song with an enthusiasm that inspired the crowd to match their energy. From mosh pits to a wall of death, the band encouraged the crowd to have fun. The show at Hard Luck was also the band’s first show outside of the USA. Despite this, Leisure Hour were pros at making a connection with the audience. With anecdotes about McDonald’s being better in Canada than the USA and a “they/them” discount at their merch booth, the audience was completely engaged with the levity the band brought between their songs.
The band ended with their song “jenny,” a completely gut-wrenching song about the relationships we have with our loved ones and hometowns. The audience knew exactly what they had to do, finger pointing and screaming lyrics like, “It’s just the people that you love / Are the people that’ll fuck you up.” With the response the band received at this show, it feels like only a matter of time before Leisure Hour will be headlining their own show in Toronto.
Anyone who has been to Hard Luck knows how intensely hot the venue gets. It is so hot that you can feel the thick, humid air, as hair turns frizzy and a layer of sweat forms on skin. Fans were sweaty, tired, and probably a little irritated throughout the show because of this. However, all of this seemed of little importance as soon as Carly Cosgrove stepped on stage. They started their set with “Steered Straight,” leading into “You Old Dog,” and the high energy never wavered. The band is known for their catchy choruses, making the show one featuring endless opportunities for fans to sing unapologetically.
A highlight of their set was “Headaches,” off their album See You in Chemistry. As soon as lead singer Lucas Naylor screams, “I thought of cutting off my head,” the crowd immediately locked in and created what was probably the fastest, most intense pit of the night. This eager audience engagement was the norm throughout their set. After an audience member shouted for the band to tell a joke, bassist Helen Barsz said that Naylor does great impressions, which lead to him doing a Hank Hill impression. These fun interactions helped make the show one that allowed everyone in the audience to let loose.
During “Really Big Shrimp” (the band loves a Nickelodeon reference), the audience cathartically sang, “Love? Don’t give me that / ‘Til I can give you something back.” Even more exciting was when Allen Steinberg of Arm’s Length joined them on stage for the song. Carly Cosgrove previously opened for the band and Arm’s Length has previously covered “Really Big Shrimp,” so it was a fun surprise for fans of both bands.
For their encore, the band performed “The Impact of This Exit” off their album The Cleanest of Houses Are Empty. Hearing the crowd sing, “Don’t you know you’re a winner? / I have never met a winner who / I have never met a winner who / Hates to win quite as much as you do” was the perfect ending to a perfectly curated setlist.
Carly Cosgrove feels like such a staple in the current emo scene that it is surprising that The Spring Cleaning Tour is their first headlining tour. The show at Hard Luck felt like a defining show for the band; it was aggressive, sweaty, and joyful. Their set would inspire any musician or artist in the crowd. Their energy, lyrics, and shows are endlessly influential.
There are still a few dates left on The Spring Cleaning Tour. You can find out more information here.