Skinshape

Skinshape lands in Montréal on July 12, 2026 at Théâtre Beanfield. William Dorey’s studio project comes to the stage with the warm, analog pulse he has honed across albums like Skinshape, Oracolo, Life & Love, Filoxiny, Umoja, Arrogance Is the Death of Men and Nostalgia. A multi-instrumentalist and producer, he blends 60s/70s funk and reggae, soul, psych rock, afrobeat, folk and a dash of library music, building grooves that lean back while the arrangements stay tight. Loose, melodic bass lines set the pace, guitars blur at the edges, drums keep it dry and unhurried, and melodies carry a quiet melancholy.

Former bassist for Palace and founder of the reggae label Horus Records, Dorey treats texture like a lead instrument, leaning on tape and vintage gear for grain and warmth. On stage, the songs breathe and stretch without losing their frame, sliding from introspective haze to a more cinematic stride. The set moves between heady chill and detailed rhythm, giving every layer room while the pulse stays steady.