Lexa Gates | The Mod Club | Toronto, ON
April 16, 2026
Photographed by Jess Lee
Written by Chris Simpson
It was an eventful Thursday night at the infamous Mod Club in Toronto for R&B and rap fans, who witnessed some of the most exciting performances by very talented women in the scene. Queens-based artist Lexa Gates proved herself to be instantly iconic, as all her fans would already know. Her opener, Vayda, also tore the house down before Gates took the stage.
Making the night truly unforgettable was the power of songs from Gates’ new album, I Am. This 18-track retrospective is meant to symbolize Gates’ ability to find the truest version of herself. Considering her status as a self-made up-and-coming act, it is hard not to love how personal her sound is and feel a strong connection to the music. With powerful acts such as SZA and Aminé in her corner, Gates’ trajectory only continues to rise.
Gates is now on the second leg of her North American tour. Her sound has been described by The New York Times as a blending of 90’s R&B with 2010’s lo-fi hip-hop, while her samples of older styles add a niche 1950’s whimsy. If you are a fan of women in this scene, Gates is a must-see performer.
Early in the night, everyone who shuffled into the Mod Club was dancing to DJ Paris Aden’s beats. She shouted out Toronto’s own SadBoi, playing beats that the crowd absolutely loved. Everyone was moving around and the room was full of energy when Vayda was introduced to the stage.
Vayda came out stylish as ever to a sea of hyped-up fans eager to make this night unforgettable. There were so many Vayda fans in the building rapping along to her music. It was heartwarming that her dedicated fans were able to hear songs that they had a strong connection to. Vayda also made sure to play newer bangers that really showcase her ability to curate a sexy, feminine vibe that embodies her character. To end her set, she brought up a small crowd to join her on stage. They all danced along to the end of the set, creating maximum hype for the main attraction to make her appearance.
Fans were elated when Gates entered the room. Her track “Stupid” instantly had everyone yelling back, showing the connection the artist has already developed with her fans, even with such new music. The rapping on this track, as well as in every other song performed during the night, was clean, precise and on point. At other times, she displayed her mesmerizing voice, captivating everyone in attendance with slower songs like “All Work No Play.” She looked amazing on stage, soaked in warm, coloured lights that added a tangible element to her vibe, fitting her music perfectly. Her fans were losing their minds with every dance move she hit; Gates even laughed while mentioning she had just twerked for the first time in her life.
Her song “Angel” always hits especially hard when the instrumental cuts out, letting Gates’ voice take center stage. Before playing “Lately, Nothing,” her penultimate song of the night, Gates shouted out her day ones, saying they look amazing and dedicated that song to them. The final song, “Serious,” gave the crowd one more opportunity to go crazy — and they did not disappoint. The Mod Club came unglued, singing along to this beautifully unhinged song, which showcases Gates’ generational voice.
Get tickets to Lexa Gates’ tour here. You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind artist, proving that her name belongs in the underground one banger at a time.
Keep up with Lexa Gates
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Lexa Gates setlist:
It Goes On
I Don’t Even Know
Estranged
Past It
Rest of My Life
Stupid
Rotten To The Core
You’re Better Off
All Work No Play
I Just Can’t Be Alone
Latency
Nothing To Worry About
Angel
You Don’t Give a Fuck About Me
Lately, Nothing
Serious
