Archive for the ‘Concerts’ Category
Metric Live at the Mod Club
Friday, April 17th, 2009Metric launched their new album Fantasies properly last night at the ModClub in Toronto.
After a few exclusive shows and appearances over the last few weeks the band performed a blistering set at the venue that hosted 4 sold out Metric shows several years ago.
The band was obviously thrilled to be playing to a room of superfans that scored tickets through a quick pre-sale or won them off the radio. Fans were immediately jumping around and totally into the new songs.
Emily struggled with her keyboards and drew reference to the fact that they had a tumultuous relationship with the venue.
It only took a few minutes for the problem to be resolved and the band was back up and playing for a solid hour and a half.
The bands new album Fantasies is a fine return to form of catchy post modern pop music that touches on themes of apathy, alienation, and fame.
To quote Emily….Who’d you rather be:
The Beatles or the Rolling Stones….. Or The Beach Boys or The Who?
Tags: emily haines, fantasies, metric, mod club
Posted in Concerts, Photos, Reviews | 1 Comment »
Broken Social Scene Announces Island Performance
Monday, April 13th, 2009
Canadian indie darlings Broken Social Scene have announced they’re headlining an all-day event on Toronto’s Olympic Island on Saturday, July 11. Other performers include Explosions in the Sky, Thunderheist, Beach House, Apostle of Hustle and Rattlesnake Choir. A pre-sale for fans starts today on the Arts & Crafts website with a limited-edition digital sampler that features one song from each performing artist. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday, April 17 at 10am.
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Sebastien Tellier at MOD Club
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
By Kenia Pena
Last night I had the opportunity to witness Sebastien Tellier in the flesh, at the MOD club. I was so excited to see him, especially since I was on my 10 day marathon of only listening to his music.
When he got on stage you couldn’t help but notice his very European style, his full beard, long hair and signature black sunglasses. This look made it very hard to believe that he’s only 34.
He didn’t say anything when he first got on stage. He just picked up his electric guitar and started playing his catchy electro song “Kilometer”. The crowd quickly responded with a loud cheer. We were all so excited to begin the Sebastien Tellier sultry ride.
He eventually greeted the crowd, started telling us jokes (He’s very funny) and went straight to his bottle of white wine, that was sitting on his keyboard and poured himself a glass, which he would repeatedly go back to after each song. He loves his wine!
His performance was excellent! He would wale out on his electric guitar, go off on some crazy solos and then create a smooth sultry symphony on his keyboard. He played a lot of his electro hits at the beginning of the show, while thrusting at his guitar, seducing the mic stand and waving his fingers in the air, as though he was touching long flowing hair.
Towards the end he played “La Ritournelle”, one of the most beautiful love songs and “Lamour et La Violence”, which caused a tear to run down my face. There’s something about his French voice that I love. Maybe it’s his accent…I’m a sucker for accents.
Over all, he made me feel sexy, he made me feel happy, he made me feel sad, he just made me feel!
Check out his latest album Sexuality, which was produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk.
Tags: mod club, sebastien tellier
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SXSW 2009 WRAPUP: Bands to Watch
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
DAPPLED CITIES
I had a chance to check out the Dangerbird Records showcase and was pleasantly surprised by Australian quintet Dappled Cities. Combining a quirky yet commanding stage presence and hooky melodies reminiscent of Modest Mouse, Dappled Cities managed to entertain and impress. This band was seamless; they played a tight set of shimmery indie pop and reminded me that the Australian music scene is much more than just Silverchair and Kylie Minogue.
Tags: sxsw
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SXSW 2009 Wrapup: Day 1
Friday, March 20th, 2009
After 26 hours, 2 motel rooms, 10 bathroom stops, 6 fast food restaurants, 4 DVD movies and countless hours of bad American radio I’ve finally made it to Austin City for the South by South West Festival. First indication was the sea of cargo vans converging on the city centre, second signifier was the overwhelming rumble of music being blasted from every bar that lines 6th street.
Now SXSW is something you need to come and experience. It feels like mardi gras, it feels like the happiest and most debaucherous place on earth. I was told there were 1900 bands playing this weekend; that number was overwhelming but exciting…so much music! I decided to start off my SXSW experience off proper and lined up to see the 4AD showcase taking place at the Central Presbyterian Church.
The nights line up was impressive. Each act could hold their own on a headlining bill but tonight they were mashed together in a delicious medley of indie rock royalty. Here was the line up and here is my review of the show. Unfortunately I missed Camera Obscura.
Anni Rossi
Viola virtuosa Anni Rossi has her work cut out for her. Its hard not to make obvious comparisons to fellow stringers Final Fantasy and glitter Brit Patrick Wolf, all of which incorporate beautiful orchestral musings and idiosyncratic tales of whimsy. Rossi’s songs were pretty, her voice was perfectly shrill and her cover of Ace of Base’s Living in Danger was a highlight but she looked bored, perhaps nerves got the best of her but when you play a packed house it’s nice to be a little engaging - the songs were good but would have been better if she smiled a bit.
M. Ward
M Ward took great advantage of the setting and let his raspy voice soar and echo through out the cavernous Central Presbyterian Church. Appearing alone on stage with only a guitar, M. Ward commanded a respectful hush. Playing a determined set of old and new material, Ward never fails to impress. Couple raging guitar solos with silky crooning and you’ve got a set that keeps an audience interested from beginning to end.
Department of Eagles
Despite critical acclaim for their debut In Ear Park and anxious buzz from an excited line up of fans outside the venue Department of Eagles struggled through notable sound issues with an uncomfortable performance and awkward stage banter. With fellow Grizzly Bear’s watching in the audience, Rossen shyly sang through a revised version of No One Does It Like You and showcased new songs that flourished in harmonic grandeur. I didn’t like the performance as much as I wanted to but know that the potential of this band is explosive. I look forward to seeing them again.
St. Vincent
Playing to an audience of fellow Texans, Annie Clark brought the evening the perfect injection of raucous rock. Slender and delicate in appearance, Clarke’s music is the antithesis of her angelic aesthetic. She muscled her way through thunderous guitar solos and showcased a mature and enigmatic musicality. With her new album entitled ACTOR coming out in May, this performance made me eager and excited to purchase her new material.
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Must Sees At Canadian Music Week
Friday, March 6th, 2009
Next week, vans of musicians will be converging in Toronto for this year’s edition of Canadian Music Week. 350 bands in 3 nights!
This will be an absolute swarm of music, so in an effort to help calm any feelings of disorientation and confusion I’ve done a little sifting and sorting.
I’ve got folk on the mind so here are my top 3 whiskey writhing, roots rocking, country crooning musical acts to see at Canadian Music Week (March 11-14).
$100. I believe in the gospel according to Simone Schmidt. With a tempering drawl that immediately captivates and a backing band that creates the perfect twangy accompaniment, $100 prove that the power of singing your heart is priceless. THURSDAY, March 12 @ 9:20pm. Horseshoe Tavern.
Castlemusic. Jennifer Castle’s lilting vocals and disjointed guitar playing manage to diffuse a moody blues that is eerily soothing. Her new album You Can’t Take Anyone is perfect company for any quiet morning. THURSDAY, March 12 @ 9pm. Gladstone Hotel.
Jon Rae Fletcher. After a short hiatus and the dismantling of his band The River, Jon Rae Fletcher returns with a new album called Oh Maria. Recorded in 4 hours, Fletcher never fails to emote a heart wrenching rawness only to be expected from any guitar slinging son of a preacher man (Really he is a son of a preacher man). SATURDAY, March 14 @ 9om. Lee’s Palace.
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Antony & The Johnsons @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Antony Performs At The Tibet House 16th Annual Benefit Concert
Antony And The Johnsons performed last night to a sold out Queen Elizabeth Theatre somewhat akin to my high school PTA meetings, consisting of too cool for school teen hipsters, the gender confused and a sampling of the LGBT community, all joined by their parents, the latter probably due to a writeup in The New Yorker recently spreading Antony’s androgynous message further, proving that he cuts through all demographics with his melodic and ethereal ballads of love, hurt, confusion and sadness. (more…)
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