Yer Fall

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.