concert review
Silk Screaming – L’Escogriffe – 09.01.10
On the evening of Wednesday, September 1st, the quaint L’Esco bar on St-Denis was a bit busier than usual, and it wasn’t because of the ridiculously hot and humid weather Montreal was having. That night, Silk Screaming, fairly newcomers to the town’s indie music scene were about to take the stage.
Midlake – Le National – Thursday, May 21st, 2010
Last night was a night many Midlake fans had been waiting for for a very long time. When the Texas folk outfit released their The Trials of Van Occupanther album the band’s at that point modest fanbase grew exponentially. Since then it has continued to grow as more and more people became aware of the wonder that is Midlake. With the release of the band’s third full length LP, The Courage of Others came the tour that would finally bring the band to Montreal. Read more…
Shout Out Louds + Freelance Whales – Cabaret JPR – Friday, May 7th, 2010
Last night, Cabaret played host to Sweden’s Shout Out Louds and New York’s Freelance Whales. In a rare turn of events, the show started at the designated call time. So prompt, in fact, that only the absolute keeners, forming a thin line in front of the stage, had time to arrive before the sound of Freelance Whales was drifting through the room.
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Young Rival + Dirty Wedding + Silk Screaming – Divan Orange – 05.06.10
It’s been awhile since I’ve been back within the music scene of the 514, and I must say that last night was the most perfect way to dive right back in. As I sat at my table before the show, I looked around as I sipped my beer and watched some hardcore Habnicks yell at the hockey game on TV, while other stylish Plateauians chatted away, and I embraced the atmosphere as the place filled up for the night’s show. And then I thought to myself, damn it’s good to be back.
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Frightened Rabbit + Maps & Atlases – Petit Campus – Monday, May 3rd, 2010
Monday night, tons of excited fans packed into the appropriately named Petit Campus to see Glasgow’s Frightened Rabbit play live in promotion their latest album The Winter of Mixed Drinks along with Maps & Atlases and Bad Veins. Read more…
Yeasayer – Le National – Sunday, May 2nd, 2010
Last night I had the chance to check out two noise-pop-rock buzz bands, Yeasayer and openers Sleigh Bells. Both acclaimed bands have had a busy 2010, with Yeasayer releasing their second LP Odd Blood, and Sleigh Bells promoting their debut album Treats – off M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. label – which drops May 11.
Sia + Girl in a Coma – Club Soda – Friday, April 30th, 2010
Last night Montreal’s Club Soda played host to Australian born singer/songwriter Sia and San Antonio, Texas’ Girl in a Coma. You could say that there was a lot of excitement surrounding this show as it was completely sold out, and with the crowd buzzing in anticipation the house lights when off and the crowd began to cheer loudly; something that would become a common occurrence throughout the night.
Joseph Arthur – La Sala Rossa – Thursday, April 29th, 2010
With Joseph Arthur there is no messing around when it’s time for business. Although on record Arthur’s music sounds like it is played by a full band, last night’s show proved otherwise. Unlike other solo performers who perhaps manage to sing and play guitar simultaneously, Joseph Arthur truly could literally be called a one man band. Read more…
White Rabbits + The Hoof & The Heel – Petit Campus – Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
Sometimes I need to be reminded that people have different priorities than my own. I constantly seem to forget that slow walkers can’t read my mind that I’m in a rush, that the loud talkers at Starbucks can’t sense that I don’t give a damn about their asshole boyfriends, or in this case that I don’t really care about – gasp – hockey. That’s partially why I love going to shows so much, or some of them at least. It’s rare that you find a niche where you can rub shoulders with like-minded individuals. I’m not saying I share an infallible bond with every concert-goer that falls into my path, but I like to think that I have more in common with someone checking out a band I’m interested in than someone at Cage aux Sports. That’s why, arriving at Petit Campus on Wednesday night to check out White Rabbits, I at first felt utterly out of my comfort zone.
