Category: Live Show Reviews

By: Sheena Lyonnais December 5, 2013

There is something captivating about Lowell, the Toronto singer who recently signed with Arts & Crafts. She’ll be releasing her first album through the label next year, the follow-up to her magical debut, If You Can, Solve This Jumble–the album she released with UK supergroup Apparatjik. Lowell’s performance at the Drake on Tuesday was a preview of what’s to come, dreamy tracks paired with an unmistakable energy that is both alluring and sweet. I once claimed that Lowell has the potential to become huge, and after her performance this week I stand by my proclamation. With Arts & Crafts backing her here in Canada, and an already seasoned following overseas, she is positioning herself to become a key player in the scene. The crowd at the Drake was clearly into the performance, which was both powerful and funny at times. Here are a few photos we managed to snap of Lowell and her homage to cheerleading and the Leafs. 

Continue reading “Live Photos: Lowell @ The Drake”

By: Peter B. Counter November 1, 2013

(photo by Emma Dawn) 

Sheezer hosted a Halloween bash at Lee’s Palace last night, bringing out the ’90s in everyone: Enzo from Reboot, Wayne, Garth, Daria, and five velociraptors – all showing their support for some good, old-fashioned Weezer worship.

Continue reading “Sheezer Prove Frighteningly Fun At Lee’s Palace”

By: Andrea Holz October 29, 2013

Sound 5/5

Love the classic 80s dance punk sound. They did a fantastic cover of Corey hart’s “Sunglasses at Night.” They were loud, wild and an absolute delight. The mini guitar made a huge sound filling the entire space. And TJ Hollywood (vocals) gave a thorough and exciting sound pairing perfectly with the beat.

Performance 5/5

Great energy, only two of them but they really used the whole space. “Olde Fashioned Dance off” is a super fun song that makes you want to dance. In fact the guitarist, Luke Vegas, hopped into the audience adding excitement. They both were great showmen.

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: TJ Hollywood @ The Rivoli 100%”

By: Erin Fahy October 29, 2013

Sound 4/5

One of my faves; The Ascot Royals are layered guitar rock at its finest, amazing vocals and amazing songs. They are engineered to make me dance.

Performance 5/5

They were on at 2 am but it felt like 11 pm, high energy and lots of fun. Their cover of Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls” I attribute to my sore knees the next day. Their set was perfect.

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: The Ascot Royals @ Rivoli 80%”

By: Andrea Holz October 29, 2013

Sound 5/5
 
The sound was moving.  Soft beautiful acoustics with gritty enchanting vocals.  The sound fills the room with simple ensemble.  The percussionist proved to be resourceful and wildly talented.  The band successfully worked with the space available rocking out on a Cajon Drum and a tambourine instead of a classic drum kit you would normally see in the kind of genre.  To be honest I preferred them lightening up with the percussion.  The room was rather small so I think anything larger would have been too intense.  The entire band shared emotion on all the songs.  They all work really well together. 
 
Performance 5/5

Though the room was small they used all resources creating a warm intimate relationship with the audience.  The transition between songs were very smooth and they really kept the attention of the audience.  The band is more than proficient on their instruments.  I especially love their onstage chemistry with each other.  They all did their part not solely relying on their lead vocalist to bring the performance they all looked in the zone.  So refreshing. 

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: Craig James Laur @ Free Times Café 100%”

By: Josh Parsons Oct 29, 2013

(Photo by @MylesHerod)

Sound 3/5

Although you’d never guess it, Tokyo’s Miyu has been fronting punk and rock bands for years. For indie week, she brought here ever-so-quite solo work, displaying a skill for rock ‘n’ roll song writing in an acoustic setting. It was catchy and the jingle bells on her ankles provided a refreshing alternative to the loudness wars of Indie Week. On the other hand, she was perhaps a bit too quiet to stand over the drunken roar of the bar.

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: Miyu @ Czehoski 72%”

By: Erin Fahy October 28, 2013

Sound 5/5

If the Hives had a baby with Jack White and Otis Redding had babysat, you’d get oOohh Baby Gimme Mores (OBGMs as they are known on T-Shirts). Each of the members brings something unique and their sound together is absolutely phenomenal. Songs were frantic with soul and oh so danceable!

Performance 5/5 

I had been standing by the bar watching them set up, and see some of their dedicated fans start filling the front of stage area. What transpired next is a bit of blur. The band started; and a wave of intense energy filled the entire bar. I have never, ever seen a crowd react to a band that violently; dancing, singing, glow sticks flying and screaming. The band ate it up with a spoon and gave back so much more. I walked out of the bar in a complete daze, could not stop talking about it for days!

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores @ Cherry Cola’s 100%”

By: Andrea Holz October 28, 2013

Sound 4 /5

Huge sound, so much energy! Loved it. The entire ensemble was great! Love fiddle in hard rock. Lead singer Steph Bosch’s voice was soulful and enchanting, yet she still stood strong regardless of the loudness of a bass drum. She has a great voice, kind of like Jewel in her early years but with a bit more of a gritty edge.

Performance 5/5

For a not so packed room they really built up the excitement and bright most everyone to their feet. They had a lot of energy and a huge musical ensemble. I particularly loved the violin.

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: The C’Mons @ The Silver Dollar Room 92%”

By: Andrea Holz October 28, 2013

Sound 5/5

The lead vocalist has a soulful and provocative voice. It was a fun set that makes you want to get up and dance. This is not a sit down and sleep sound. This was hot! Great song called “No, it’s a Cardigan But thanks for Noticing.”

Performance 5/5

The band actually established a relationship with the audience. Dancing was encouraged and made for an all-round better show! Their transitions between songs were smooth. Like any rock show the band needs to melodically seduce the audience and they really did.

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: Frankie McQueen @ The Hideout 100%”

By: Erin Fahy, October 28, 2013

Sound 4/5

This type of sound is one of my guilty pleasures. A Punk Big Band, akin to Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies and Brian Setzer. While the vocals weren’t as strong as I’d like, and I found that there seemed too many bodies on stage, they have obviously been working on this a while and their sound is solid.

Performance 3/5

Seemed pretty tame for the type of music; the audience was into it but lack of energy. They ended on a ballad which was an interesting choice.

Continue reading “Indie Week Report Card: The Drop Dead Pin-ups @ Cherry Cola’s 64%”