Even though the weather outside is frightful (literally), there's no reason not to curl up with a blanket, cup of tea and a Hey Rosetta! concert! (Except, maybe, don't bring your blanket and tea....theatres tend to frown on that...)
Tuesday night the 7 piece indie rock/folk band from Newfoundland brought along the Aussie band, the Jezebels. When the 2 guys-2 girl band took to the stage I immediately assumed I wouldn't like them (mostly due to the fact that the lead singer, Hayley Mary, was wearing what looked eerily similar to a leather onesie. Not to judge a book by it's cover...but I definitely did. However after one song they had me convinced that they were something on the special side. Mary's voice is hard to describe, but can be compared to Karen O from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah's. She definitely has a huge vocal range that impressed me. After their set I found out that they are one of the most popular bands in Australia right now, selling out something like 20,000 capacity stadiums...! Funny that here they're opening the Myer Horowitz for a homegrown band...But I suppose you have to start somewhere! They bring a funny sort of energy to the stage, with Mary's slightly awkward dancing, and the bands dry, but easy and appreciative banter. I can see them getting popular here in Canada, especially with a song like Easy to Love. One of the few times I sincerely enjoyed an opening band (well, one that I hadn't heard of beforehand anyway!).
Hey Rosetta! took to the stage at about 9.30 and played about a 1.5 hour set. I'll get the one complaint I had out of the way (which will make me sound much older than I am, I'm sure): after the 2nd song the audience was all on it's feet. Granted it was encouraged by HR's lead singer, but when I see a show at a theatre or the like I don't want/expect to be standing around, especially when listening to slow folk (for the most part, they do have a few fast paced songs, yes, but for me the majority of it is not music I would be getting up to dance to). I tried to stick to my guns for the first couple of songs, but when you're the only person left sitting in a theatre, vision becomes a little obscured (which it shouldn't be when you're in the first few rows). Anyhow, it didn't affect the music obviously, but definitely changed the concert experience for me.
HR played a set including Red Heart, Seeds, and an encore that including David Bowie/Mott the Hoople cover medley. The crowd was obviously enjoying it, with what seemed like a tonne of ex-Newfoundlanders (and biggest fans) making up the audience. One of the most important things at a concert can be who else is attending, and how the audience creates an energy and buzz. The vibe was great at the show with so many people mouthing along to Tim Baker's vocals. This would be the 2nd time I was able to see HR, after seeing them open for the Tragically Hip in summer, and each time the band's layering of instruments has left me impressed. I especially loved watching the string section change instruments for different songs, and even during songs sometimes.
I have to say that one of my favourite parts of the show may have even been when the Jezebels helped set off a confetti machine during the last few songs and encore. However, it wasn't just any old confetti machine, my friends. No, no, this one was particularly Canadian: the "confetti" was made up of red, yellow, and orange maple leafs. This touch of the season completed the perfect ending to the "Yer Fall" tour.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Dan Mangan and his man-gang
Dan Mangan and his Man-Gang (clever words from opening band, The Daredevil Chrisopher Wright) shook the walls of McDougall United Church last night. I have been waiting for a great band to play here for quite a few years, since I've heard it's one of the best places in the city for acoustics and sound. It definitely didn't dissapoint.
After waiting outside for about 45 minutes (one of the only downsides to the show), we grabbed a spot on the 2nd level, or balcony of the church. It's hard to say that there's a bad spot for seating in the venue since every seat is a few inches above the rows ahead. However there are a few pews that are partially tucked behind pillars...which apparently called for people to start sitting on the floor, and stairs and partially blocking my view of the stage.
The show started around 8 with The Crackling as the opening band. I've talked a bit about this band before, after having seen them open for Mangan last November. Why they'd be opening for the same band you might ask? Well Kenton Loewen, lead guitarist and vocalist for The Crackling actually plays drums in Mangan's band....with the rest of the 4 piece Crackling also belonging to Dan Mangan's band. So since there is such an overlap (with everyone, except Mangan, playing in both bands), it only makes sense to have them opening for his set. What made even more sense and was a nice surprise is when Mangan came out to play drums for the set, and completed the parralel-universe................
The Crackling played a very short set of 4-5 songs before the 2nd opening band, The Daredevil Christopher Wright (yes, that's a band name!), came out on stage. The set was done entirely acoustically with two guitars, and appearances from the xylophone, drums and...wait for it...the recorder. I personally thought they ceased to exist after Grade 6. The singers voice immediately caught my attention, but I can't pinpoint why. I don't wanna say he had a soft voice, because it still held a lot of power to it, but it was just so...flowly and melodic. Which...sounds...much more lame than I meant it to...But I feel like you understand me.
TDCW played a longer set for about 45mins-1hour. As I mentioned above the acoustics in this venue were always talked about to be amazing. And from the first note of the Crackling and especially during the softer harmonies of TDCW, it was easy to see why everyone raves about McDougall. The sound was crystal clear, and even on the 2nd balcony still sounded like we were sitting in an intimate room with each band.
Dan Mangan and co. came out at about 10pm, and I thought he'd only end up playing about an hour. Max. Boy, did he prove me wrong. When the show ended almost an hour and 45 minutes later, I couldn't see one person that wasn't on their feet. He played his "classics" (they feel like they should be) like "Road Regrets", "The Indie Queens Are Waiting", along with the majority of his new album Oh Fortune. Some songs he played with his backing band, and some were completely solo and done acoustically. I'd have to wrack my brain to think of something terrible to say about a set that seems so full of ...life. That sounds sarcastic, especially with ellipses...but really it's just me that can't think of anything else to say! Of course the encore included "Robots", Mangan's classic sing-a-long. Each and every time I've been lucky enough to be around for this song it's been just as powerful as the last time. This most recent time had Dan jump down from the stage with his guitar and a microphone, and standing on two of the church pews. Everyone was standing, clapping and singing along to "Robots need love too/They wanna be loved by you", and gave such a sense of...belonging. Along with his charismatic wit, and easy going banter, Mangan's shows are seem to always be full of good-natured, homegrown Canadiana.
After waiting outside for about 45 minutes (one of the only downsides to the show), we grabbed a spot on the 2nd level, or balcony of the church. It's hard to say that there's a bad spot for seating in the venue since every seat is a few inches above the rows ahead. However there are a few pews that are partially tucked behind pillars...which apparently called for people to start sitting on the floor, and stairs and partially blocking my view of the stage.
The show started around 8 with The Crackling as the opening band. I've talked a bit about this band before, after having seen them open for Mangan last November. Why they'd be opening for the same band you might ask? Well Kenton Loewen, lead guitarist and vocalist for The Crackling actually plays drums in Mangan's band....with the rest of the 4 piece Crackling also belonging to Dan Mangan's band. So since there is such an overlap (with everyone, except Mangan, playing in both bands), it only makes sense to have them opening for his set. What made even more sense and was a nice surprise is when Mangan came out to play drums for the set, and completed the parralel-universe................
The Crackling played a very short set of 4-5 songs before the 2nd opening band, The Daredevil Christopher Wright (yes, that's a band name!), came out on stage. The set was done entirely acoustically with two guitars, and appearances from the xylophone, drums and...wait for it...the recorder. I personally thought they ceased to exist after Grade 6. The singers voice immediately caught my attention, but I can't pinpoint why. I don't wanna say he had a soft voice, because it still held a lot of power to it, but it was just so...flowly and melodic. Which...sounds...much more lame than I meant it to...But I feel like you understand me.
TDCW played a longer set for about 45mins-1hour. As I mentioned above the acoustics in this venue were always talked about to be amazing. And from the first note of the Crackling and especially during the softer harmonies of TDCW, it was easy to see why everyone raves about McDougall. The sound was crystal clear, and even on the 2nd balcony still sounded like we were sitting in an intimate room with each band.
Dan Mangan and co. came out at about 10pm, and I thought he'd only end up playing about an hour. Max. Boy, did he prove me wrong. When the show ended almost an hour and 45 minutes later, I couldn't see one person that wasn't on their feet. He played his "classics" (they feel like they should be) like "Road Regrets", "The Indie Queens Are Waiting", along with the majority of his new album Oh Fortune. Some songs he played with his backing band, and some were completely solo and done acoustically. I'd have to wrack my brain to think of something terrible to say about a set that seems so full of ...life. That sounds sarcastic, especially with ellipses...but really it's just me that can't think of anything else to say! Of course the encore included "Robots", Mangan's classic sing-a-long. Each and every time I've been lucky enough to be around for this song it's been just as powerful as the last time. This most recent time had Dan jump down from the stage with his guitar and a microphone, and standing on two of the church pews. Everyone was standing, clapping and singing along to "Robots need love too/They wanna be loved by you", and gave such a sense of...belonging. Along with his charismatic wit, and easy going banter, Mangan's shows are seem to always be full of good-natured, homegrown Canadiana.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Wasting Light
Oh...was it Halloween? I was too busy hanging out with the Cage the Elephant, Foo Fighters, and Sam Roberts to notice any vampires, ghouls, or witches. My bad.
Friday morning, bright and early at 6am, the weekend started (even though work came in between for a few hours), when I got to take in Sonic's 7th annual Halloweenie roast. I never knew breakfast could be so magical until they decided to make it a can of pop, full-size chocolate bar, and hot dog. All for the low low price of free.
That night was to be the "greatest rock show in the city of the year": Foo Fighters. They took to the stage at about 9pm, just after Cage the Elephant played an energetic set, and Mariachi El Bronx played Edmonton for the first time ever.
M.E.B was good...for a mariachi rock band...The guitar was amazing (there were 3 of them after all), along with a violin, drum kit, and two trupets. However the singing did nothing to impress me. I actually enjoy their intrumental songs a bit more. The singing wasn't awful by any means...it just didn't seem right with that type of music.
Oh...Cage the Elephant. I wonder if they'll ever get any of the recognition from concert goers like they deserve. I haven't been able to see them headline a show just yet, but I feel like that would make the night go a lot differently. This time, it was like deja vu, reminding me of when they opened for the Black Keys earlier in the year. The arena wasn't very full when they started their set, and even the people who were there didn't see too into it. Granted they are quite an intense band, especially singer Matt Schultz, but that should only add to the whole experience...right?! Since when did it become the norm to only want a band to come out, say nothing, play some songs that sound just like they do on the radio or album, and walk away, again saying nothing? I love the energey that CtE puts into each show, and the fact that Schultz is willing to get up there and scream, and almost always be so near to tearing his shirt off in angst.
Foo Fighters to the stage on schedule and played for 2.5 hours. I don't have much to say, since they are a well-tuned machine and know exactly what/how/when to say things to a doe-eyed audience. They played classics like "Monkey Wrench", "All my life", "Best of you", "This is a call" etc, and ended their 45 minute encore with "Everlong". The only complaint I could think of would be that they didn't play ENOUGH of songs I personally wanted to hear like "D.O.A" or "For all the cows", but you can't win em all can you. Their extros to some songs were quite heavy and long, and depending on the person could've rocked your world, or been a lullaby. I was glad to get my money's worth for an expensive ticket, but didn't expect any less from this generation's greatest living musician, Dave Grohl. It would've just seemed odd if they played an hour and left without a few witty comments and banter.
Stay tuned for part II of this post for Halloween weekend: Sam Roberts. I thought you'd appreciate a double feature. Well...I hope. It'll be up in a jiff! (Time me for a jiff. I'll beat it)
PS - NOV04. For those waiting and holding their breaths for the Sam Roberts post....keep holding on. It'll be up tomorrow. Yes. Its after my latest post....Shhh.
Friday morning, bright and early at 6am, the weekend started (even though work came in between for a few hours), when I got to take in Sonic's 7th annual Halloweenie roast. I never knew breakfast could be so magical until they decided to make it a can of pop, full-size chocolate bar, and hot dog. All for the low low price of free.
That night was to be the "greatest rock show in the city of the year": Foo Fighters. They took to the stage at about 9pm, just after Cage the Elephant played an energetic set, and Mariachi El Bronx played Edmonton for the first time ever.
M.E.B was good...for a mariachi rock band...The guitar was amazing (there were 3 of them after all), along with a violin, drum kit, and two trupets. However the singing did nothing to impress me. I actually enjoy their intrumental songs a bit more. The singing wasn't awful by any means...it just didn't seem right with that type of music.
Oh...Cage the Elephant. I wonder if they'll ever get any of the recognition from concert goers like they deserve. I haven't been able to see them headline a show just yet, but I feel like that would make the night go a lot differently. This time, it was like deja vu, reminding me of when they opened for the Black Keys earlier in the year. The arena wasn't very full when they started their set, and even the people who were there didn't see too into it. Granted they are quite an intense band, especially singer Matt Schultz, but that should only add to the whole experience...right?! Since when did it become the norm to only want a band to come out, say nothing, play some songs that sound just like they do on the radio or album, and walk away, again saying nothing? I love the energey that CtE puts into each show, and the fact that Schultz is willing to get up there and scream, and almost always be so near to tearing his shirt off in angst.
Foo Fighters to the stage on schedule and played for 2.5 hours. I don't have much to say, since they are a well-tuned machine and know exactly what/how/when to say things to a doe-eyed audience. They played classics like "Monkey Wrench", "All my life", "Best of you", "This is a call" etc, and ended their 45 minute encore with "Everlong". The only complaint I could think of would be that they didn't play ENOUGH of songs I personally wanted to hear like "D.O.A" or "For all the cows", but you can't win em all can you. Their extros to some songs were quite heavy and long, and depending on the person could've rocked your world, or been a lullaby. I was glad to get my money's worth for an expensive ticket, but didn't expect any less from this generation's greatest living musician, Dave Grohl. It would've just seemed odd if they played an hour and left without a few witty comments and banter.
Stay tuned for part II of this post for Halloween weekend: Sam Roberts. I thought you'd appreciate a double feature. Well...I hope. It'll be up in a jiff! (Time me for a jiff. I'll beat it)
PS - NOV04. For those waiting and holding their breaths for the Sam Roberts post....keep holding on. It'll be up tomorrow. Yes. Its after my latest post....Shhh.
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