It’s the end of an era for Carnelian at Ales n Amps Vol. 3

The Ale House was packed shoulder to shoulder last Thursday night as three student bands, Jinx, The Clay Pigeons, and Carnelian, delivered one of the most energetic concerts of the semester.

The Nov. 26 show of Ales ’ n’ Amps Vol. 3, marked the final performance for Carnelian, giants in the student band scene since they first played Clark Hall Pub in 2023, winning Battle of the Bands. Members Ryan Ross, Comm ’25, Angus Carter, ArtSci ’25, Greyson Martyn and Duncan MacLaren, both Sci ’25, have known each other since their first year at Queen’s. On Nov. 27, they threw one last concert for the music scene that’s embraced them fondly over the years.

Heading into the evening, the band’s emotions were mixed.

“It kind of hit me today during practice,” Martyn said in an interview with The Journal. “I’m trying to kind of savour this before we go up there because we’re not going to be able to do this again for a really long time.”

Carnelian’s parting amicably, a decision driven partially by MacLaren’s impending graduation and move to Colorado at the end of this semester. Some bandmates have already left Kingston, including Ross and Carter, who arrived the night of Nov. 26. Carnelian had just one day to practice for the big show.

“I’m sure this isn’t the last time we’re going to play together, but it’s the last one for a while,” Martyn said. “This really is kind of a celebration show, one last hurrah.”

Reflecting on the band’s journey, Carter said one of his favourite moments was Carnelian’s first time headlining the Mansion, where tickets sold out online and had to be sold at the door. “That was a big feeling at the time, selling out a place,” he said in an interview with The Journal.

The night kicked off at 9 p.m. with Jinx, whose set blended classic rock reverence with a raw edge that pulled the crowd in. Their performance of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio” marked an early emotional peak, later moving into sultry trip-hop with Portishead’s “Glory Box.” By the time they closed their set with a blistering rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” the venue was packed.

The Clay Pigeons took the stage around 10 p.m., shifting the energy toward dance-floor euphoria. Their unexpected take on “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé immediately had the crowd screaming along, and a soaring cover of Radiohead’s “Just” sent the room into chaos. But it was their finale, a dreamy blend of  Mac Demarco’s “Chamber of Reflection” and Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” that turned the show into an out-of-body experience. Phone flashlights and even some lighters lit up the room as the audience swayed and waved to the beat.

By roughly 11:10 p.m., anticipation had reached its peak for Carnelian. Fans filled the venue with unmatched volume, chants, and even homemade signs. At one point, fans held up a whiteboard reading “Long Live Carnelian.”

Carnelian dedicated their last set to the original songs that built their following, including “Seventeen,” “28th of May,” and “Susie.” The band’s unique sound has been shaped by such songwriting over the years. “We’ve never been a cover band,” Martyn said. “One thing I’m proud of is that right off the bat at our first show, there was a five-song set and two of those were originals.”

The emotional high point of Carnelian’s set came when lead guitarist Martyn’s dad joined the band onstage for a surprise take on The Tragically Hip’s “Little Bones,” prompting some of the loudest cheers of the night. The encore concluded with a reprise of “Lines,” the first song Carnelian ever released, feeling like a full-circle farewell.

“I’ll never get over the feeling of hearing a crowd singing every word to a song I wrote alone in my room at 1 [a.m.],” Martyn wrote in a statement to The Journal about “Lines.”

“That song was the moment I realized this really is the last time [I am] going to get to do something like this for a long time,” Martyn wrote. “Thank you to everyone who’s ever come to a show, listened to our music, or told their friends about us. You’ve all given us this incredible gift that we’ll never forget.”

“I’m so happy and proud of the boys and even more grateful for everyone who came out,” Ross wrote in a statement to The Journal after the show. “Whether it was our first show at Clark or the final time saying goodbye at Ale; everyone who showed up played such a big role in making this experience out of this world for us.”

Three bands, three distinct energies, and one chapter coming to a close, what unfolded Thursday night at Ale felt bigger than just a concert. For many in the crowd, it was a reminder of how fiercely alive the Queen’s music scene remains.