It could just be coincidence, but the third week of May seems to be an especially significant one for Slowdive. Evidence for this will be meted out over a couple posts, with this one focused on the band’s initial incarnation in the ’90s.

We’ll start with the fact that singer/guitarist Rachel Goswell was born on May 16, 1971 – happy belated, Rachel! – and their second album, Souvlaki – aka one of the greatest records of all time – was released on May 17, 1993. Goswell reflected on the record to KEXP on its 25th anniversary in May 2018.

Rachel Goswell of Slowdive Reflects on Souvlaki on its 25th Anniversary @ KEXP

But more salient is the fact that the band’s final live show – or at least what was supposed to be their final show for 20 years – took place on May 21, 1994 at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, a short 10-minute subway ride away from where I now live. Of course, at the time I was still in high school and had no idea who Slowdive were, so it’s just as well that it didn’t end up being their actual final show, because that proximity would have just made me sad.

But I am happy that some quite-decent-for-1994 home video of the show exists, and that it’s on the YouTube. And as for the significance of this week post-reunion, head over here.