Robots Need Love Too

Walking into the Student's Union Building at the University of Alberta was met with a huge line. We assumed it was to get into the Myer Horowitz Theatre where Dan Mangan was playing. Not only was it the long line for the Myer Horowitz but it just kept getting bigger and bigger every minute; eventually the line up went outside of the doors (into the cold, even though it didn't have to...).

There was a huge variety of people waiting to get into the theatre, much different than even the crowd at the Hollerado show. Dan Mangan is a singer/songwriter from British Columbia (home-gown Canadiana) and is regularly featured on the satellite radio channel, CBC Radio 3. There seemed to be a ":representative" of every...group... there: young indie hipsters, 20-something university students, middle-aged, and I'm sure some closet CBC fans. Since I had only recently started listening to Dan Mangan (at the request of my brother; he was also the one who wanted to attend this concert), it was really interesting to see what kind of crowd he attracted. Although, it only made me only more confused and reminded me to not judge a book by it's cover (or cover's characters in this case). Unlike the previous concerts attended in the same week, this was a "sit-down" event, but seating was general (another oddity that isn't seen too much when concert-going). There were two sections, a floor and a balcony, and we were the about 3/4 back on the floor (aka damn good seats).


There wasn't much of a set up before the first band started playing. A small band, The Crackling, made up of 3 fetching lads, started off the night in a very mellow fashion. This group is actually made up of members of Dan Mangan's band! It was interesting to see the (usual) drummer take centre stage and sing. There were only a couple of songs during this set but it should be interesting to hear what this band is capable of.

Next up was The Burning Hell, a band outta Peterborough, Ontario (something that the lead singer Mathias Kom mentions quite frequently, in a ). They make no attempt to hide their dark humour throughout their songs and the show. Kom actually opens the show with something along the lines of "Thanks for coming tonight, you obviously have no idea how depressing we are". In actuality the concert was full of laughter at their black humour and anticipation at what would come next. The majority of the crowd was laughing more than not, and in reality it was hard to hear the lyrics sometimes. The lyrics tend to draw from the darker parts of life and are the major part of this band, and the music seems to be part of the supporting cast. The band is actually made up of Mathias Kom and fourteen rotating members. This night there were two other members along for the epic ride. As far as I can tell each of the total fourteen members play different instruments, ranging from Kom's ukulele to Jenny Omnichord's (not performing this night) ...well..omnichord.

One song that stuck in my head even after all this time was "It happens in Florida", a dark and quirky love song full of uncommon similes.

I did end up buying their newest album, "Baby", because how could I resist getting to take a piece of this night and this band home? One major difference in listening to the CD, as opposed to the live show? A lot less laughter. That is not to say that the album isn't definitely worth a listen (and a buy, in my opinion), however don't expect their concert to be anything the same. Because of how the band interacts with the audience and the banter that is had within the band as well as with the crowd, it makes for a completely difference experience. But hey, this is a band well known for putting on a live show! Something they just have to live up to now! (Not that they have to try hard anyway)

Dan Mangan was the grand finale of the night, and brought the "musicality" (if it wasn't a word before it is now!) to the venue like the other two bands just couldn't (with their completely different styles). Althought his lyrics were just as captivating, the music and instruments played a larger role in his set, whereas with The Burning Hell the dark, moody, realistic lyrics set the tone. Mangan is definitely a softer-indie rock and the notes flowing out of his guitar and out of his band knew how to get the audience up and out of their seats (very literally during some points; Mangan invited selected concert-goers up to the stage to play instruments during one of his more popular songs, "Robots")
Now Dan Mangan put on a great show, no doubt, but it seemed like The Burning Hell stole the show. It was tough not to laugh along and savour the unique style of the "trio".




I had never set foot inside of the Myer Horowitz Theatre before, but it seemed like just the right place for this type of show. It is a sit-down theatre with a medium sized stage at the front of the room. I'd say it would seat about 200? But then again, I'm terrible with measurements etc. There are two floors as I mentioned and both are in the "U" shape, with graded seating so that basically every seat in the theatre has a good view/acoustics.I haven't been to many sit-down concerts, with the exception of Rexall Place (which is the largest concert venue in Edmonton, so not exactly the same feel...with 17,000+ people attending), but this venue made the whole night feel very cozy and intimate.


NB: I'm painfully aware of how long this entry took to write/publish/post, and I'm forever sorry! Won't happen again. It was the week of lovely concerts and this amazing one happened to be on the tail-end! I may be editing it, likely not though if more concerts start popping up. Like "Western Canada's First Outdoor Winter Carnival" Freezing Man! Tons of amazing artists like Chromeo, Shout Out Out Out Out (yes, I'll be seeing/reviewing them for the 2nd time in a few months), Broken Social Scene, Starts and many more. Also DJ's. It's gonna be fantastic. It's happening January 29, 2011 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Get yo tickets and maybe I'll see you there