Frank Turner - Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, March 11, 2016

"They threw me a whirlwind and I spat back the sea.  

I took a battering but I've got thicker skin and the best people I know are looking out for me.

So I'm taking the high road - my engine running high and fine

May I always see the road rising up to meet me and my enemies defeated in the mirror behind"
~Frank Turner

Frank Turner - pre-show soundcheck

As we lined up for our early entry sound check access I'd managed to nab when purchasing tickets, Artur, my concert buddy for the evening, looked around at the gathering crowd and remarked that there were a lot of different types of people amassing for the show.  A selection of tattooed, pierced and leather clad groups, contrasted with preppy conservatives and everything in between, all across a pretty vast representation from all age ranges.  You name it, they were in line.  Artur, who had no idea who Frank Turner was at this point having graciously agreed to sub in for an unfortunately sick Jakki at the last minute, took in the large cross section of fans, and said to me:

"his music speaks to a lot of different types of people, yeah?"

The Frank Turner genre is a hard one to pin down.  Punk? Folk? Rock? Bluegrass?  A bit of a smashing together of all of the above and more, really, with no easily measurable formula.  I call him folk/punk, but that doesn't really hit the nail completely on the head either.  But the mix of genres really does seem to draw a lot different types of fans together into one room.  And I think that combo of fans suits Frank Turner just fine since his whole professional "raison d'être", based on my personal sense of him, seems to be to bring people together under an all welcoming common love of all things music.

So, to answer Artur's question......Yeah!

As our small early access ticket holders group gathered around the stage, Frank strode out and played a few acoustic songs for us, followed by autographs and photos prior to the start of the show.  I personally would have been quite happy hanging here for the night.  His acoustic performance of "Love 40 Down" and "Cleopatra in Brooklyn" just sitting at the edge of the stage, was fantastic.  Getting to finally meet him was definitely a high point as well.  (hey everyone reading this who actually knows me?  Guess who suddenly became super shy in the presence of one of her "music as religion holy 4?"  Argh!).  He was very sweet.  And hella tall.  Was a super cool and very surreal moment where things I should have asked him completely escaped my mind.  Things like.. how he enjoyed his first trip to the Maritimes (In February, he did shows for the first time ever in my former homes of Halifax, Fredericton and Moncton!)  Or... asking to see his newly inked New Brunswick tattoo!  Or, you know, seeing if perhaps he was looking to hire a diminutive blonde show mascot to join the tour since I will shortly be unemployed and available!  (umm, I suppose it was probably best I didn't blurt that one out, but it would have been totally about the music, I swear, and I can't think of a better rock 'n roll story than a complete career path switcheroo from the banking world to professional Frank Turner show attendee!)

Stumbling away from our meeting, we were then stopped by a couple of ladies who I assume were part of Frank's team, who wanted to do a brief interview.  Now... I was still attempting to process having just met a musician I admire greatly, so can't say I was too clear in answering the questions asked.  OK, OK, I admit to having no idea what I answered for the question "What does Frank Turner mean to you?" other than that it was a big exorcist vomit of nonsensical mumble jumble wordiness.  My brain was on overload, so the pairing of Lindsay + eloquent thought output was just not happening and I may as well have been speaking Swahili.  By that point, we decided to get a few beers into me STAT to put my head back on straight for the show to come.

And what a show it was!

We positioned ourselves directly in the fray just slightly to the right of the stage.  This was my 5th Frank Turner show and the first time that I've been directly in the thick of the crowd.  (for the prior 4, we've done seats (Queen Elizabeth Theatre), roomy outdoor field viewing from afar (TURF), upper VIP balcony (Sound Academy), and bench/table (Horseshoe Tavern)).  Being smack dab in the middle of a sea of Frank fans was a whole heap of fun!  We immediately made friends with our neighbors and engaged in big sing-a -longs together for the duration of the show.  Being on the vertically challenged side of things (a fancy way of saying I'm f-ing short), I was only able to see Frank and Tarrant regularly for the duration of the show and missed out on being able to watch the rest of the band.  (I do need to take a moment to give a shout-out to the Sleeping Souls, Frank Turner's band extraordinaire).  Ben Lloyd, Matt Nasir, Nigel Powell and Tarrant Anderson, are all amazingly fantastic musicians with big entertaining personalities.  While my primary focus was on Frank, for this show in particular since my positioning only allowed a limited viewing of the stage, watching Tarrant's bass playing gymnastics also provided me with great joy - that man is truly in his own zone when playing and I loved every minute of it.  I can honestly say, I've never seen anyone play the bass with quite the same frenetic zeal as he does.

I also continue to be amazed at the non-stop high energy show that Frank Turner puts on, night after night.  They played an incredible 2 hour 30 song powerhouse of a setlist complete with running, jumping, dancing, crowd surfing, motivational mid song audience directing and some kick ass acrobatic instrument playing.

As is always a big part of a Frank Turner show, he engaged the crowd in a "we're all in this together tonight" fashion.  In addition to recruiting us as backup singers for various bits of songs, he actually had us sit on the ground during  "Photosynthesis" with instructions to jump up once given a signal by Nigel to dance and sing "like we're out of our fuckin' minds!"  He preceded this request with an assertion that he regarded us all as friends and that "friends can ask friends to do weird shit, right?"

...Remember me mentioning the cross section of people earlier?  The punks and the nerds and the rockers and the old and the young and the keen and the jaded and the everything in between?  Yeah, we all sat down on the ground.  And all jumped up and danced and made friends with our fellow music lovers and sang together.  Hey, when Frank asks us to do weird shit for the purpose of musical solidarity, we're all on board!  I will NEVER get tired of Frank's philosophy of music as a uniting element.

Check us out!

With such a vast setlist, there was really something for everyone within it.  I absolutely overlove the new album (the title alone, "Positive Songs for Negative People" even struck Artur, a hard core metal fan, as brilliant).  So it pleased me to hear "The Opening Act of Spring", "Josephine" and "Get Better" performed live.  The show closer of "Four Simple Words" with its harder edged punk format was the perfect high energy send off, and even got my metalhead sidekick on board (he really liked that one!)  We left the venue, as Frank intended, with sore throats from singing, feet tired from dancing, and having made new friends from strangers.  I even lost my sweater sometime through the night and simply laughed about it and figured that it was a sign of a good sweaty in the moment show when a band magically causes you to lose items of clothing without you even noticing.

Now that I've had a few days post show excitement, I've had the opportunity to give some thought to the question: "What Does Frank Turner Mean to You?"  Truth be told, I'm still not sure I can come up with anything that would be precise enough for a soundbite.

But I will say this by way of *attempted* explanation...

All art is completely subjective, and the love of it can't always be neatly quantifiable.  I suppose that Frank Turner's music triggers something on an emotional level within me that makes me love it so very much.  His songs tend to have lyrical content dealing with the drive of the human spirit, which hits me right in the sweet spot.  A few examples:  "Photosynthesis" gets me pumped up for difficult meetings where I need to channel my inner badass.  "Anymore" and "Plain Sailing Weather" have in the past comforted me with empathy in the loss of a relationship.  "Get Better" is a rousing theme song for picking yourself up and dusting off and getting back to your inner invincible self (a song that I try to put in my ears as much as humanly possible).  "Four Simple Words" just makes me gleefully happy any time I listen to it (and the slowed down theatrical bits are super fun to belt out in the car!  Trust me - try it!)   "I Still Believe" sums up how important music has always been to me in my life and I complete "get" the point he's making in that one, etc., etc., etc...  So many of his songs I identify with in such a strong way that they all mean a lot to me for very different reasons. Add to that Frank's complete authenticity - the fact that he truly seems to love what he does and does it relentlessly and passionately and with great respect for his fans... and he has my complete and utter reciprocal respect as as well.

Thrilled to have another Frank Turner show in the books.  Looking forward to the next.  Come back to Toronto soon Frank!

Previous Frank Turner show blogs:

Sound Academy - December 3, 2013
Queen Elizabeth Theatre - shared bill with Joel Plaskett - May 18, 2012


Set List:

1.  The Next Storm
2.  The Road
3.  Losing Days
4.  Eulogy
5.  If Ever I Stray
6.  Try This at Home
7.  Peggy Sang the Blues
8.  Ace of Spades (motorhead cover)
9.  Josephine
10.  Polaroid Picture
11.  Least of All Young Caroline
12.  I Am Disappeared
13.  The Opening Act of Spring

Frank Solo

14.  The Way I Tend to Be
15.  Balthazar, Impresario
16.  The Ballad of Me and My Friends

17.  Reasons Not to Be an Idiot
18.  Glory Hallelujah
19.  Mittens
20.  Long Live the Queen
21.  Happy Birthday
22.  Recovery
23.  Out of Breath
24.  Photosynthesis
25.  Plain Sailing Weather
26.  Get Better

Encore:

27.  The Real Damage (solo)
28.  Tell Tale Signs
29.  I Still Believe
30.  Four Simple Words

Foo Fighters - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto, July 8, 2015

"And I wonder

If everything could ever feel this real forever

If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you

You've got to promise not to stop when I say when..."

It is, quite frankly, bordering on criminal that I've not seen the Foo Fighters live until now.

Considering:

-I've been a fan since the beginning...and the Foos have just celebrated a 20th anniversary, so that's a mighty long time (almost half my life in fact!)  While watching Dave in braids peddle Footos in parody in the Big Me video didn't really make me think this was a serious ongoing project back in the mid 90s, I was still on board.  It was not what you'd expect from a Nirvana alum....but it was nevertheless pretty infectious!

-When "Everlong" was released, it cemented my adoration.  (brilliant tune - lyrically and structurally).  "All My Life" remains my go-to song when I need to get ramped up.  (#1 workout playlist staple - when I'm outta steam and ready to quit, it is literally the only thing that can keep me going another 4:23!)

-when my son was an infant, the only song that would calm him down when in the midst of a "screaming bloody murder" bender was "Monkey Wrench".  Put that one on and he'd stop crying immediately and listen.  (Damn that kid had good taste in music!)  Dave Grohl = Baby whisperer, apparently.

-Dave has been, is, and always will be one of my "holy quartet" in my "Music as Religion".  (In the name of Dave, Frank, Matt and Ryan:  Amen).  I believe that he is one of the most musically talented men alive today...and I'll argue that point with anyone who is willing to take me on.  Bring it!

-The closest I've come to a live Foos show (and while equally awesome, was still not the same), was seeing Them Crooked Vultures live with Dave on drums.  It was spectacular.  He was in full "Animal from the Muppets" mode (in addition to the sweet bonus of those "other two guys" who made up the supergroup).  A true joy to watch.

... But it STILL wasn't the Foos.

And so.

It was high time, and  I was thrilled to be able to nab tickets to this show back in February.

Turns out, it would be no ordinary Foo Fighters show!  The Sonic Highways tour, as of last month when Dave fell off the stage in Sweden and broke his leg, was hereinafter christened "the Broken Leg Tour".

But.... How would immobilizing the whirling dervish that is Dave Grohl affect the Foo Fighters' live show?

Would making him sit mess with the high energy of the performance?

After waiting all these years to see them live, would we be disappointed?

Holy Crap No!

The Foo Fighters put on a 3 hour, kick ass thrill ride of a show for us, and only stopped because the venue made them.  (Damn that outdoor venue city noise curfew!)

Playing the opening riff of Everlong from behind the Foo Fighters logo emblazoned curtain, Dave revved us all up screaming "Are you Ready?!!!" before the curtain was sucked into the ceiling and we were off!

While Dave's behind was firmly planted in his Throne and healing right booted leg extended and immobilized on its rest, there was clearly no lack of energy flowing out of his free left leg that pumped frantically up and down to the music while he sang, headbanged and played guitar.  Multitasker extraordinaire!  There was even a point during a particular funky extended guitar solo that he actually played the guitar with his cast boot - amazing!  Fair dues to him, the whole band, and his road crew for making the situation work in a highly visually entertaining way.  See video of Dave telling the story of the broken leg and how the Throne came to be below.  (Trust me - it's worth the 12 and a half minutes, complete with such a wonderfully heartfelt version of Big Me at the end dedicated to the road crew that it filled me with a sense of pure music joy.  As mentioned in my intro, this tune has never been a Foo Fighters defining song for me, but something about Taylor's added harmonies and the gentle sincerity of it's presentation hit me right in the feels.  Definitely one of my favorite moments (of many) of the show).




So many great moments it's difficult to quantify them (but I'm gonna try....)

I got my live performance of All My Life (AND Monkey Wrench), and they were face meltingly awesome.  Also incredibly enjoyable live was the extended performance of "Outside" off the Sonic Highways Album.  Gave me a new appreciation for the tune in its completely unrestrained rolling stage jam format.  And I have "Breakout" on constant repeat now as a result if its re-introduction to me.  Had forgotten about that one!

They also did a bunch of kick ass covers.  The band launched into an abridged version of Rush's "Tom Sawyer" during band introductions that also saw the camera pan over to two ladies whom Dave identified as his mom, who just happened to be taking in the rock show with non other than Geddy Lee's Mom.  It was fitting as noted by Dave that there were actually more rush shirts in the audience than Foo Fighters shirts (totally true!  Had noticed that pre-show).  My mind is still blown at seeing these two very conservative and ladylike rockstar moms delicately headbanging along to the music on the overhead screen. As a Queen fan, I'm always apprehensive to see bands attempt to cover one of their tunes as Freddy Mercury can't ever possibly be met vocally, but they cranked out a great "Under Pressure" cover that was set up by Dave saying to us: "If you don't know this song, then we can't be friends".  (Amen!)  Rounding out the covers was the Foos rendition of "Cinnamon Girl" to celebrate Neil Young, "one of their favorite Canadians", and Taylor taking one of a few turns of the show at vocals for The Faces' "Stay With Me".  I really adore Taylor - watching him drum truly fills me with delight, but watching him both sing AND drum is awe inspiring.  How in the hell this man can wail on the drums like an absolute maniac while singing (incredibly well I might add) is a feat that makes me go "hell yeah"!  (...and as a slightly unrelated aside, I'm still undecided on the winner of the competition on whether Taylor, or Dave, has the better hair.  Dave's is thicker and curlier, but Taylor had a fan blowing through his all night.  Watching them swing it around is like watching a shampoo commercial - mesmerizingly swishy and shiny! - never fails to amuse me that these grungy rockstars have hair that many a hollywood starlet would envy).

Pat Smear slaying us with his happiness while Taylor's hair mesmerizes

In a live show, you always expect things to be a bit less polished than the album and this show was no exception.  I found that the vocals, in particular, were a little rough around the edges and when Dave wasn't able to hit a note or maintain breath control on fast paced lyrics, he'd let out a scream as a substitute.  This was to be expected of course, and didn't detract from the overall effect of the show (in fact, got the audience riled up)!  Every member of the band is so fucking good, and I actually found my attention being drawn away frequently from the Dave and Taylor show to focus on Pat Smear.  Wow is this man ever in his happy place on stage!  (not sure if it was something he was smokin' or a true joy of playing or both, but his big goofy grin was completely contagious!)  Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but I will admit to falling a little bit in musical love with him throughout the evening.

While my adoration of the Foos has everything to do with high energy rock anthems, I will say, that I was thrilled when Dave got off his throne to come out on the catwalk on crutches with Pat and Chris for a slowed down acoustic set consisting of "My Hero" and "Times Like These."  It was a true moment of connection with the audience - we were all 100% with him.  Standing in a sea of 15,000 people where you are all singing together in solidarity is one of the reasons I love a live show.  Amazing.  I'm so glad to have finally seen them live.

I've actually had a few (vehement, yet respectful) arguments about Dave Grohl in the last few years with several of my fellow music buddies.  Some feel he's overexposed.  An attention whore.  And wish he'd "just go away already" because they're tired of him being absolutely everywhere, all the freakin' time.

Sigh....

True.  He really *has* been a constant in all forms of media.....  But here's the way I *think* it goes with Dave Grohl.... I really believe in my heart of hearts that he's a simply  huge music geek.

You know those Dungeons and Dragons nerds who dress up as hobbits to go to Comicon?  Spend all their money on action figures?  Study the different fictional worlds and can "random fact" you with their knowledge limitlessly?  Could literally exchange ideas for days on the subject matter and never stop being excited by it?  Yeah?

I truly think Dave Grohl is the music version of this.  I don't think he can really help but BE all over the place when it comes to music because he's just bursting with the love of it.  I don't think it's self promotion, but rather, his overlove of the art.  He loves the history.  He loves the playing and performing.  He loves creating and promoting.  He loves the collaboration.  He loves the people who love it along with him.  There's a whole lot of love there, and when you love something that much, it's damned near impossible to keep it on the down low!

Personally, I respect that (...and relate to it.  Nerds are "my people").  Look... it's far more attractive to me as a fan to embrace such unbridled excitement, than to attempt to appreciate those musicians who are too cool to show up on time for a show, or who only play for an hour and pretty much phone it in, or don't give back to their fan base or have any respect for them, or charge ridiculous amounts of money for tickets and/or merch, or are indifferent to the collective art form outside of what they themselves produce.  As far as I'm concerned?  If loving and appreciating Dave Grohl's supreme enthusiasm for all things music is wrong, well, I don't wanna be right.

And having said that, it's about f-ing time he was given a Throne (too bad it was under these circumstances!).   Like him, hate him, no matter - he's been a constant staple in music for decades and is a true champion of the art.... he really needs be given his due as a member of Rock Royalty.  (And just goes to show there is no keeping the Foo Fighters down no matter what the obstacle!  As said by Dave:  "I don't like cancelling shows.  I like my job!  I wanna play!  I don't wanna call in sick!")

Thanks fellas!  Please come back soon!

Set List

Everlong
Monkey Wrench
Learn to Fly
Something From Nothing
The Pretender
Big Me
Congregation
Walk
I'm the One (Van Halen cover) (snippet played during band introduction)
Another One Bites the Dust (Queen cover) (snippet played during band introduction)
Tom Sawyer (Rush cover) (snippet played during band introduction)
Cold Day in the Sun
My Hero (Acoustic)
Times Like These (Acoustic)
Under Pressure (Queen & David Bowie cover)
All My Life
These Days
Outside
Breakout
Arlandria
Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young cover)
This Is a Call
Stay With Me (Faces cover)
Aurora
Best of You

Frank Turner - Sound Academy, Toronto, December 3, 2013

Photo by: Stephen McGill, AUX TV
http://www.aux.tv/2013/12/photos-frank-turner-at-the-sound-academy/

So December 3, 2013 was date night with my boyfriend.  (ok, so he's not *really* my boyfriend, but Frank Turner became my official "Substitute for Love" since I first encountered him as the opening act for Joel Plaskett in May of 2012 (read about my intro to Frank here).  We DO have a relationship...you know... through his music... he just doesn't happen to be aware of it is all.  It's all cool and not restraining order worthy, I swear!)  I've been following his music since that show, and have eagerly grabbed up every album put out.  He holds a place in my "Music as Religion Holy Four" (along with Glen Hansard, Matthew Good and Dave Grohl).

His album Tape Deck Heart came out in April of 2013 and I bought it release day and formed a special bond with it.  This album, is without a doubt, a break up album of epic greatness.  Regardless of my personal mood or current circumstance, I tend to gravitate towards albums that possess lyrics and tone that are created as a result of some sort of intense feeling, as I'm able to form a real emotional connection with the songs that way.  It became infinitely more meaningful to me months later, as it was the soundtrack for my own personal breakup.  I definitely found some solace, camaraderie and catharsis by listening to it, and THAT, right there, is one of the many reasons that I love music so very very much.  Frank, as any good (boy)friend would, was there to successfully sing me right out of my funk.  He's the bestest!

When his tour through Toronto was announced, it was a no brainer that we'd be attending his stop at Sound Academy.  Not a huge fan of the mosh pit, we were able to acquire VIP balcony tickets and have now been officially spoiled.  Can't see ever attending a show there and not going VIP.  Separate entrance.  Separate bar.  Separate bathrooms.  Separate water view outdoor deck.  Seats.  Balcony view of stage. (spoiled I tell you!  I felt so swanky and superior!)  The convenience of the bar made for a few more beers than I'd normally consume at a concert, but it was all good and all fun.

He had two openers for this show.  Billy the Kid was up first.  Was just her and her guitar - she was pretty good.  July Talk were next and were an interesting sound.  Alternative vibe, with a guy and a girl fronting with a white hot sexuality coursing between them, so tangible you felt like you could reach out and touch it.  Got the crowd riled up pretty successfully.  Would see them again.

Then Frank came on starting the night off with "Photosynthesis", one of my very favorite tunes of his, with its unique fusion of punk attitude with folk sensibility and rocked up roots instruments.  It set the tone for the night as an über high energy ride for the duration.

A Frank Turner show (this is our third) is ALWAYS high energy.  Frank confessed to being under Doctor's orders to take it easy due to a back injury, but that didn't stop him from bouncing around like a hopped up Tigger (see cover photo above... ).  The only concession he did make for his back injury was to not play guitar for this show (save for one tune in the encore), but without the guitar strapped on to ground him, he was all over the place, running, jumping, crowd surfing and flying across the stage.  Watching his completely untethered acrobatics contributed to the enjoyable energy created.

As per usual, Frank is all about crowd interaction.  He bantered with the crowd a bit and explained to us that he had learned a few things about the city ahead of this show.  Yonge street being the longest street in the world.  Casa Loma's 'only real castle in North America' distinction, (and showing his inner history nerd questioning whether it could be considered a "real castle" having never been a defensive structure).  And of course, he knew all about our douche bag Mayor where he expressed confusion on whether our system was just messed up and we couldn't oust him, or if we were just "bad ass motherfuckers that don't care" about having a crack smoking mayor.  See vid below for his "all about Toronto" chat.

In addition to the visually awesome kick we got from his stage show, more importantly, the music itself was completely mint.  The set list offered a heap of Frank Turner fan favorites and a few rare gems that were great to hear live.  As mentioned, he kicked off the night in high gear with "Photosynthesis" and kept things going with one of my favorite tunes off the new album, "Plain Sailing Weather" with its aggressively self punishing lyrical content.  Favorite moment had to be the back to back one two punch of "The Road" followed by "If Ever I Stray" as it launched the crowd into hand clapping, fist pumping, party mode solidarity.  And of course, "Long Live the Queen" as a Frank Turner show staple, with its high tempo, speed lyric story of loss and celebration of life, didn't disappoint.  (Frank must have some wicked breath control to be able to pull that one off live so flawlessly).  I'd have really loved to have heard "Fisher King Blues", my current fave off Tape Deck Heart.  It would have been amazing to be able to "feel" this tune in the live setting with it's poetic lyrics and wonderfully melodic, layered instrument and vocal build.  But was pleased to get "Broken Piano" as a mournful, heart beat like percussion close-out to his set prior to the encore.  The brilliant, deliberately slow building construction of both these songs speaks to me musically on the album versions, so was glad to get one of them live at least.

Was a fantastic ride of a show, closing off the encore with "Four Simple Words" with it's cabaret style book ends fusing into full out punk rock juicy centre, complete with the beefy security guards at front of stage swaying along to the slowed down portions.  Great ending, leaving the audience in a state of feel good happiness.

I adore Frank's tall, lanky, cool nerdiness (if you follow this blog at all, you'll see that particular pattern of affection I have for the "geek cool" trait - it is the highest order of compliment I could give when describing someone I admire).  There's something incredibly attractive to me about musicians who are intelligent enough to be informed and well spoken, comfortable enough in their own skin to embrace their personal quirkiness with confidence, but laid back enough to not be obnoxious about it.  That, in my humble opinion, is what "cool" is all about.  Frank fills all these marks and puts out a brand of music that pulls me in and keeps me content with what it says and how it makes me feel.

Best boyfriend ever.  So much fun.  Come back again soon Frank!

Set List:
Photosynthesis
Plain Sailing Weather
Peggy Sang the Blues
Losing Days
Try This at Home
Glory Hallelujah
Reasons Not to Be an Idiot
The Way I Tend to Be
Wessex Boy
The Ballad of Me and My Friends
Oh Brother
I Am Disappeared
The Road
If Ever I Stray
I new Prufrock Before He Got Famous
One Foot Before the Other
Long Live the Queen
Recovery
Broken Piano

Encore:

Oh Lonesome Me (Neil Young Cover) - Frank Solo on Guitar
I Still Believe
Four Simple Words

Jory Nash - Hugh's Room, Toronto, November 23, 2013

Have been busy and distracted (read: lazy) lately, so I'm several blog posts behind on shows.  And I'm happy to say that this show has inspired me to get caught up in a way that others I've attended have not (yet).  Jory's intense love of what he does tends to wrap you up in gratitude for the existence of quality music as he beams that love out to his audience... and that supremely good feeling of a big musical bear hug makes a girl want to share! (awww, musical love is awesome, isn't it?)  So this post will leapfrog over two others I still haven't tackled yet but will get to shortly.

David Matheson joining Jory for
a little "sounds of the 70s" taste test

We missed Jory's annual show at Hugh's Room last year, which was a damned shame.  But happy to be back we took our reserved seats that were within arms length of the stage.  This was going to be an up close and personal show!  And as a special treat, Jory had a full band with him for this one.  David Celia on guitar (ummm, Hellooooo David Celia, have already grabbed a couple of your albums), Rosalyn Dennett on Violin and banjo, Maury Lafoy on Bass, Mark Mariash on drums and the delightfully entertaining David Matheson on Piano.  It was a great line-up of fantastic musicians and while I always love Jory solo, it was a perfect enhancement to his show.

What can I say about a Jory Nash show that I haven't already said very emphatically here and here?  Well...to reaffirm:  he continues to be real in the best possible sense.  His beautiful rich vocals and lyrics continue to move me to my core.  And he continues to put himself out into the musical universe with raw honesty and as a natural talent fuelled giver.  It's a warm musical experience.  A soul filling comfort.  A Jory Nash show never lets you down.  And there is a "one-ness" with the people attending that is unlike any other show - always a total love-fest with the friendliest of people in the best possible atmosphere.

He had a wonderfully diverse mix of tunes to play for us.  (See set list below).  Some new, some old, some covers, some traditional.  Offset by a full band, tunes like "Helicopters Circling" and "A Kiss for the Great Unknown" were mint!  And as per usual, Jory took to the piano for a couple of tunes.  When I think of Jory Nash the musician, I always picture him with a guitar, however, tunes like "Sally" and "The Nighthawk" made me stop and realize that when it comes to a good piano ballad, his wonderful piano melodies need full recognition!

We were fortunate enough to get a few brand new, yet to be recorded tunes, and as Jory explained, they were inspired by his summer "Torrential" romance (and with his classic good natured but comical straight man delivery, added that whenever you describe something as "Torrential" it is usually after it's over).  Enjoyable set-up to the new tune "When the Knives Come Out" and reminded me of a Joel Plaskett quote "If they do you wrong, get them back every night in song".  (as a related aside Jory, have I got a song idea for you!  It involves a relationship with way too much beer and bacon, a crazy stalker ex, embracing one's inner redneck, and getting dumped by e-mail.  I'm pretty sure it needs to involve a banjo.  We should talk....)

Throughout the night, he stepped back and allowed his musicians to take turns fronting - Rosalyn Dennett performed solo on the violin, and David Celia stepped in to do one of his songs (as mentioned previously, really enjoyed him.  Do check him out.)  Jory and David Matheson gave us a teaser to the Sounds of the 70s show they have scheduled at Hugh's Room in March (we are sooooo in for this one!), and we were also delighted with a first for a Jory Nash show that "I" have personally witnessed - a full costume change!  (complete with new hat, vest, tie, and belt...but I was wishing I'd gotten a photo of the costume number one belt buckle with the great big "J" embossed on it - it was awesome!)

Was incredibly pleased also to get one of my favourite go-to feel good songs off his Folk Jazz Blues & Soul album in the encore -  "Everything Feels Right".  Impossible not to nod your head like a Muppet when this one is playing which makes you smile goofily (and really, who doesn't want to hear a tune that makes them do that?).  The lyrics to this one are clever and fun.  Was happy to have heard it played live.

I think this tune, and the performance of "The Enemy" were the highlights for me, but really, it was all pure goodness, so hard to single anything out with great conviction.

As per usual, left the show feeling warm and happy.  Simply put, a Jory Nash show feels like home....and it's always a wonderful feeling to be home.  Fantastic night.  Fantastic show.  Thanks to Jory and band.

If you're looking to catch a Jory show, or want to grab some Jory tunes, check out his webpage here:  Jory Nash's Website .

Set List:

The Nighthawk
Atlas Takes a Ride
Careful How You Break My Heart
The Long Siesta
Darling Corey
Fiddle song by Rosalyn Dennett
God Don't Know Me Anymore
The Lord & The Losing Streak
When the Knives Come Out
Sally
The Edge of a Dream
Woodstock
Headlines

*Intermission*

Truth
Sunshine
Homeless Man
Danny's Song
Going Down to Town
The Best of Your Heart
A Night With You
Instant Puppy Love (David Celia)
The Enemy
A Song About Love
Helicopter's Circling
Wichita Lineman
A Kiss For The Great Unknown

Encore

Everything Feels Right
Jory Solo -  Springsteen cover

Glen Hansard - Danforth Music Hall, Toronto. September 16, 2012

On the night of the show when I got home, I wrote the following before giving up, logging off, and going to bed:

"Hard to write anything coherent on a show when all you can manage to verbalize, is "it was f**kin' awesome!"."

Here is my attempt to elaborate (and I warn you, once I get going, and open up the floodgates, it could get very wordy...).

It is now several (!) months later, and I'm finally getting around to completing this entry.  Lots on my mind these days to distract me and I'm 4 show posts behind (in addition to this show, I also have rough notes for Dan Mangan/the Rural Alberta Advantage, Bob Dylan and Neil Young yet to post from the 2012 concert year).  I recently(ish) had a friend remind me how much I enjoy writing about the shows I attend, so I'm going to attempt to catch up as thinking about my shows sends me to my happy place.  The relive for this one alone will give me a re-charge.  So... will fire up some Glen on the old iPod, and root around in the brain for the Glen Hansard "sweet spot memory files" and get on with it....

Glen Hansard is one of my very favorite musicians.  I find I use the word "authentic" a whole lot when describing musicians I admire, and it certainly applies here.  It's all about the music with this man, who is just as happy busking on a street corner as he is headlining a Massey Hall show (We've seen him at MH twice prior to this show at the Music Hall. We have not been fortunate enough to see him busk, but have wallowed away many an evening on YouTube checking out his spontaneous and joyful busking performances and can only imagine how amazing a musical experience it would be to be present).  No matter the venue, you can tell when he picks up that guitar, that he just wants to play, and slides into his comfort zone while entertaining the everlovin' shit out of his audience.  (and as a somewhat unrelated aside, until I fell in musical love with Glen, I was completely anti-facial hair.  Thank you Glen Hansard, for making beards sexy...I'd been missing out on a whole demographic of awesome men!)

Just say "no"!

Opening for Glen was Tony Dekker, in a solo side gig from "the Great Lake Swimmers".    While he sounded really good, the music was just a little too morose thus putting a damper on our concert high.  Adding to the downer effect was the gentleman in front of me who not only blocked my entire view of the stage, but inspired in me an unquestionable desire to stand up and holler: "say 'no' to crack!".

Luckily, he made some "adjustments" before the main event so my eye wasn't constantly being drawn to the grand canyon for the duration of the show.  But once Glen took the stage, I'm fairly confident that no level of great abyss would have distracted me...

Glen started the night out by walking onstage (complete with crazy toque!) to the piano to play the very pretty "The Storm, It's Coming" off the new album.  This served to gently warm us up, with a follow up launch into the higher tempo "Talking With The Wolves" briefly intro'd with: "this song is about being in touch with your cycles".  And we were off!

As per usual, Glen talked to us between songs and would generally set up the next one with an explanation of what it was about.  "Back Broke" was described as a song that explained how one feels when they are completely beaten down...but you know everything is going to be okay because "your person" is there with you and you are able to derive a sense of peace from that.  And "High Hope", where you will always hold someone in your heart, but know you can't be with them.  Letting them go and realizing that someday, you may meet them again in your "there" but knowing they aren't to be in your life.  The set list consisted of range of new and old faves.  And while I did get some off my personal wish list, I really would have loved to have heard "Song of Good Hope" live as it is my current favorite.  Maybe next time.

As mentioned, we've seen Glen before, but only with the Swell Season line up that included Marketa Irglova.  No offense at all intended to Marketa, but this show seemed to be a freer, more joyful night of music with her absence.  In addition to his 'Frames' mates, he had members of Levon Helm's band included in the mix that greatly contributed to the jam like feel of the show.  There was a lot of impromptu chatting, and banter back and forth with the audience members, and much encouraged crowd participation.

Glen and audience member singing "Say it to me now"

In particular, Glen recruited the audience for back up singing on both Back Broke and High Hope....and while I'm sure he 'says that to all the audiences', told us that we were "the best singers yet".   (awww, shucks.)  And further, Glen contributed to the delight of one young lady who was plucked from the crowd and brought up on stage to perform a duet of "Say it To Me Now".  (caught on YouTube - easily found if you're curious).  I have to say, this one displeased me somewhat.  It just so happens that this is one of my favorite Glen songs ever, so I really prefer to hear Glen sing it unplugged and solo.  But good for her - I would say she was shittin' bricks though - there was a whole lot of hair flippin' going on. (catty?  Yep.  Maybe...but seriously!  She took over my favorite tune!!!)

The biggest surprise however, was that one of my favorite moments of the night came near the end of the show when Glen called up a gentleman by the name of Peter Katz from the audience.  Peter is a local singer-songwriter (whom I'd never heard of before, but most definitely have since researched), and invited him to take over the stage and play a tune.

Peter Katz takes the stage

I was completely unprepared to be so affected.  I think it was the song.  He introduced the song as a tune that was written for a friend who had trouble sleeping due to severe depression.  Now, I don't suffer from depression but (a) what a beautiful thing to do as a musician for someone you care about and (b) as someone who has the perpetual inner monologue going 24/7, I wish sometimes I could put the brain on pause and get some damned sleep already, so this song, and the sentiment behind it, certainly spoke to me.

I've included the you tube video for the tune in it's entirety below (complete with Peter's intro set-up), but I don't think the clip does justice to the collaborative outpouring of beauty that it was.  Was one of those moments you witness of musical goodness that makes your skin hum.  He wasn't prepared to play as Glen called him up out of the blue.  Glen sat back and watched, and the rest of the band joined in slowly.  They all just kind of picked up on the melody and created this wonderful mournful symphony of beauty that brought tears to my eyes.  Felt it..., and it now remains a staple in my "calm the ef down" play list.  (yes...I have a "calm the ef down" play list...shit...doesn't everybody??!).

Capping off the show for the encore, Glen and band paid tribute to Levon Helm by performing "Don't Do It" (a cover of a Marvin Gaye song performed by "The Band") that was a rousing and soulful party on stage.  One of the few moments that Glen was without guitar which is always interesting to watch.  Seems the music is constantly flowing through him, and without the guitar strapped to him to channel it, he moves in some very interesting and "free form" ways!  And to acknowledge his geographical location, in tribute to Canada and Canadian music, the band performed Leonard Cohen's "Passing Through", while parading through the audience as the finale.

I loved this show.  And I love this musician (and his band and his guests, etc,...wow there was a lot of talent stepping on that stage that night).  Shows like this are the reason I love living in this city - We are very fortunate to be blessed with a lot of these types of shows, in these types of venues, where it's a collaborative musical experience shared with the audience rather than a large stadium type show that plays a whole lot less  personal.  Shows like this, are, I feel, what real music is all about.  It's a lot bigger than a jam in your buddy's garage, but it certainly maintains the meaningful and personal quality shared with the folks who come by to see you play that I love to my core.  My only real complaint?  It ended too soon.

Wanna see more pics?  Link to full show photo album

Peter Katz - Still Mind Still

Set List:

Full Band

The Storm, It's Coming

Talking With The Wolves

Love Don't Leave Me Waiting (with tease of "Respect" by Aretha Franklin)

When Your Mind's Made Up

Philander

Low Rising

Bird of Sorrow

Glen Solo

Happy Birthday To You (sung to audience member)

Leave

Back Broke

Astral Weeks (Van Morrison cover, with tease of "Smile" by Pearl Jam)

Full Band

High Hope

This Gift

Fitzcarraldo

Encore

The Finish Line (violin solo by Colm Mac Con Iomaire)

Say It To Me Now (with audience member singing second verse)

Gold (Interference cover)

Still Mind Still (performed by Peter Katz with Glen's band)

Don't Do It (Cover of 'the Band's' version of Marvin Gaye tune dedicated to Levon Helm)

Passing Through (Leonard Cohen cover...with full band marching through the crowd)

Joel Plaskett/Frank Turner - Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto, May 18, 2012

Joel Plaskett

Frank Turner

 Man, I was not in the frame of mind going in, as I was musically "full up" heading into this show.

We had just taken in The Avett Brothers a few nights prior, and were still in re-live mode in a very big way as it was mindblowingly good.  My brain was unfortunately set to "temporarily closed" to any new music.  Further, I must confess to being a bad Maritime girl.... while I knew of and liked what little I did know of Joel Plaskett, and was aware that he is most definitely a maritime music staple and for good reason, I'd never seen him live and didn't really know a whole lot about him or his music.  What I did know was that he was from "home" and that my maritime compadres, whose musical tastes I trust completely, really love him.  There were a few songs here and there that I had come across and enjoyed, but that was about it.  In truth, my quest to see him stemmed a lot from his appearance in the movie "One Week".  He seemed quirky and talented, which is just how I like my musicians.  It was more personality driven in wanting to see what kind of live show he put on with absolute faith that the music would be good.  So off we went to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto to take in the first of his two night stints closing off his tour.

Taking our seats, we noted that there was a "special guest" opener for the evening and proceeded to look him up to see what we were in for (opening bands are always either hit or miss...it's a good night if we can discover someone new).  Frank Turner, was described as a British "folk/punk" musician.  Needless to say, we were intrigued.  What exactly is "folk/punk" anyway, and how does it fit together with Joel Plaskett?  How did these two end up on the same ticket?

As explained to us by promoter Jeff Cohen, who introduced the show, each were looking for someone to tour with.  Cohen, as a huge fan of each of the artists, thought it would be cool to put the two together for Joel's tour.  I bow down to Mr. Cohen for his brilliant marriage of these two artists, without which, I would likely have never known who Frank Turner ever was.  (and that, my friends, would be a travesty).

I'll be reviewing this show in two parts, because unlike a lot of my past show blogs, I've got a whole lot to say about the opening act.  So without further ado....

Frank Turner

Now as mentioned, I had never heard of this man before looking at his name on my ticket about 10 minutes before show time.  But from what I gathered in my short presence in his stratosphere, I believe that he can be described in one word:  Authentic.

Truth be told, I was smitten with him right off the bat.  (he's only 30, so not (ahem), in a "cougar-y" way, just in an admiring, "I really dig what you do" way).  I'm a total sucker for a man with dimples, a Brit accent, and lets face it, any man that has anything to do with good music, so put these attributes together, and I couldn't help but be completely charmed. (so maybe just a wee bit cougar-y...)  I had entered the theatre not "all in" for this show, but by the time he finished his set, I was wide awake and raring to go, synapses firing, messaging my music buddies during the break wondering if they had ever heard of him.  (and they had.... way to bogart the Frank Turner, guys, jeez!)

His style was completely raw and unpolished, in the best possible sense, and with huge amounts of heart.  I fully believe that he talked and played from the stage as he would if he were sitting around with his friends, which contributed to the "real" feel of his show (and that for that night it really felt like we *were* his mates).

Even with just a guitar for accompaniment, he was able to fill the entire theatre with his exuberance.  High tempo strums combined with intricate finger picking were enhanced with his awesome forceful vocal delivery and crowd motivating lyrical content.  He was a big fan of crowd participation, and drew everyone in to several sing-a-longs.  And he had his own following - people who were there just to see him and knew every word to every tune and bellowed along with him.  (as a note, I'll be among that lot the next time he graces Toronto).

I've since downloaded his albums and am enjoying the re-live of what he performed for us live - total ear worm goodness.  Favorites at the moment are "Long Live the Queen", which I mentioned to a co-worker I want played at my death party (I don't want a funeral...just a party...bring my urn!) Her reply to this statement was "think kind of highly of yourself to have a song with the lyrics "the Queen is Dead" featured so prominently don't you?"...to which I replied "I'll be dead, can't you humor me this once?".  Aside from the aforementioned banter, it's a great tune. Also love "Substitute", my new personal anthem. The entire album is mint actually, but really, can anyone be surprised that I would connect so strongly with an album titled "Love, Ire & Song"?  "I Still Believe" and "If Ever I Stray" off the album "England Keep My Bones" are also in heavy rotation.  It's all yummy good really, and how can one NOT fall instantly in musical love with a man who claims that Gene Simmons is "a giant anus" for documenting his female conquests and being compelled enough in this belief to write a song about it?  (see set list below).

I'm now also a fan of the folk punk genre and plan to dive into it a little further.  Little less angry than classic punk.  But a lot of the same sensibilities and ideals as far as non-conformity.  It had the characteristic repetitive guitar riffs, but also contained a good deal of really great melody throughout to grab you and hook you in.  There are some truly poetic lyrics, interchanged with some rousing, fist pumping anthemic belt out choruses that take over your brain for days having listened to them.  (Have been sitting in meetings this week shouting (in my head of course), "I won't sit down.  I won't shut up.  But Most of all, I will not grow up!" and it's making me grin wide to the point where I'm constantly asked why I'm smiling).  Punk, folk, rock.....regardless of what genre he is dropped into, as bellowed out by Frank before our last great sing-a-long to "Photosynthesis", it's all rock and roll, and:  "Rock and roll is about one really simple fucking thing.  It's about a room full of people who are friends and who are equals, who came together without a barrier between them.  To sing.  To Dance. To Drink.  And to have a GOOD fucking time!  That's why we're here.  THAT's what rock and roll is all about".

A-fucking-men Frank Turner.

****

Now count it down like musicians...are you ready?:  one,  two.....One.  Two.  THREE.  FOUR!  

Enter Joel Plaskett....

Now one may think that having been soooo taken with the opening act, that it would negatively affect my enjoyment of the main event.  Not so.  Frank just got me warmed up and ready to receive, with every musical pore in my body on high alert and ready to absorb.

As expected, Joel Plaskett and his band, were all kinds of über goodness.  His show was one big, feel good jam that had the entire audience on their feet dancing for the duration.  In a theatre show with assigned seating, it's quite a feat to immediately get everyone standing, and have the crowd flow into the aisles and to the space in front of the stage to dance along.  Way to go Joel Plaskett - you turned the Queen Elizabeth Theatre into a kick ass party complete with a wicked soundtrack!

The music was a mix of acoustic vs. classic rock and roll tunes.  I loved this - I went in expecting a lot of singer/songwriter type acoustic fare (and wasn't disappointed - there were some wonderful stripped down tunes included in the set list).   Yet Joel and his band rocked the house for a good portion of the show, wailing away on their instruments in true rock show fashion and producing some high energy, top notch music.

He was the most interesting man to watch - he is all tall lankiness, and when he moves, it is with a cool flowy smoothness.  His stage presence kind of reminded me of Tom Petty, in that it was so easy and relaxed, but radiating "cool" (If you've been to a Tom Petty show, you know what I mean).  When he spoke, it wasn't in a hollery way - it was upbeat, but in conversational tones.  Comfortable in his skin.  In his element on the stage.  A highly skilled musician.  Charismatic and real.

The quirkiness I was looking for was evident as well.  There were several lengthy chatty moments that filled me with delight - explanations of their various tour vehicles over the last decade and a half that were extremely amusing detailing the sleeping arrangements in each (i.e., each bunk had a name, and one bunk was referred to as the shits....nobody wanted to sleep there, 'cause "it was the shits"), how he came to have two dancing monkeys mounted on a bench attached to a foot pedal (dancing monkeys are always funny), and the story behind "Love This Town" that extended into a good 10+ minutes in the middle of the song (to the continuous strum the guitar of course - "if they treat you wrong, get them back every night in song").  Wonderfully entertaining.  I love musicians with personality that let us into their lives a little.  These entertaining little stream of consciousness segue ways always make me extremely happy at a live show - they are the three dimensional bits that you can't get from sitting at home and listening to an album.

Two very different artists I was baptised to this night - so very different in their styles, yet similar in a lot of ways.  Both highly talented musicians.  Both passionate about their music.  Both highly into interacting with their audience.  Both on my list of must sees going forward.  Fantastic night of music all round.


Frank Turner Set List:

I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous
Try This at Home
Peggy Sang the Blues
Wessex Boy
I Am Disappeared
Substitute
New and still untitled song
Long Live the Queen
If Ever I Stray
Wherefore Art Thou, Gene Simmons?
English Curse
I Still Believe
The Road
Photosynthesis

Joel Plaskett Set List

Tough Love
Waiting to Be Discovered
Deny, Deny, Deny
You're Mine
Heartless, Heartless, Heartless
North Star
You Let Me Down
Harbour Boys
Beyond, Beyond, Beyond
Love This Town
Face of the Earth
Nowhere With You
Lightning Bolt
"Work Out Fine" with interlude medley featuring Lee Dorsey's "Rain Rain (Go Away)," April Wine's "Oowatanite," The Rivieras' "California Sun," Manfred Mann's "Doo Wah Diddy," Sam Cooke's "Cupid" and Eagles' "New York Minute"
Through and Through and Through
"Maybe We Should Just Go Home" with interlude medley featuring Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?"
Extraordinary
Encore:
I'm Yours
Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'
Come On, Teacher

The Avett Brothers - Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, May 15, 2012

Crawling into work today dead tired after a night out, I met a co-worker in the elevator, and in obligatory elevator conversation, I mentioned that I had gone to see the Avett Brothers last night.  He gave me a funny "who the f**k are they" look and then said "The Avett Brothers... you're getting old", then punched me in the arm and walked away with a superior look on his face before I could respond.

Firstly, I believe he's mixing them up with someone else (the Everly Brothers, likely) and has no idea who they are.  Secondly, he once admitted to attending and really enjoying a Celine Dion concert.

Need I say more?

But to the point - if you don't know who the Avett Brothers are (and a lot of people I know don't, which is a tragic), for the love of all that is holy, please go seek them out, because you are out of the loop on a really cool, high energy and creative musical experience.  They blend, in a really interesting way, traditional roots instruments (like the banjo!) with balls out rock and roll.  They take a little bit of bluegrass, a little folk, a little hard edged alternative rock, throw in a plethora of funky instruments, and mix it all up in a pot of awesome sauce. What they do, is true musical innovation that crosses a whole heap of genres, and it works unbelievably well.  And at the heart of that musical creativity, lies the true talent of brothers Scott and Seth Avett.  The boys rock a number of instruments, write incredible music and lyrics, and have clear, strong voices that when slowed down and stripped back, produce the most amazing harmonies (to my co-worker:  kinda like the Everly Brothers, dude, just younger and cooler and current and able to jump around the stage with incredibly high energy without need of a walker...jeez).

We attended the first of two sold out shows at the Danforth Music Hall on Tuesday night, and had we had the ability to see the future when buying tickets, would have been going again tonight.  They really were THAT good.

With no opening act, they took the stage at around 8:45pm and played a solid two hour set.  They immediately launched into "Laundry Room" with it's beautiful harmonies and call and answer format that kicks into a heel stomping 'whooo hooo-ing' conclusion.  This was the perfect intro to set the tone for the show consisting of energetic jams (I can now claim to have seen a cello player bang his head to rival any metal act, not to mention, a Hendrixesque fall to knees wail on the banjo), offset with quiet acoustic melodies that were so pretty they hurt your heart.

And while musical talent radiates out of Scott and Seth Avett, making them an absolute pleasure to behold, their band was also particularly enjoyable.  Not often is it that your attention is turned from the talented and charismatic front-men to the Cello or Stand-up Bass player, but this turned out to be the case quite often during the show.   It was amazing to watch them go - Joe Kwon on the Cello continued to draw my eye.  You'd think that being tethered to such a massive instrument would keep you somewhat subdued, but not so - The man was jumping around wildly to the music and singing his heart out (no mic), and as mentioned previously, headbanging to the beat - full on joyful possession by the music.

The show had so much variety there was something for everyone within it.   Picking out a favorite was impossible because there were so many different styles to choose from.  Loved that Scott and Seth each took a solo turn for a slowed down folk ballad (Scott performing "Murder in the City" and Seth "Ballad of Love and Hate" - see YouTube links below for our show's performances).  Pure beauty.  Their duet performance of "When I Drink" was just a whole heap of fun.  The full band rocked up jam of "Head full of doubt/Road full of Promise", one of my favorite Avett tunes, showed they can bring a venue to their feet and pump them up to ecstatic heights.  (see link below).  The boys have some rock in their souls for sure.  "Kick Drum Heart" was just the most fun I've ever had at a concert ever, and seeing the entire band on stage having equal amounts of fun performing it added to the über amounts of pleasure.  However, the tunes that made me go back the next day and re-listen because I just had to hear them again (on repeat!) were "Shame", and "Tin Man".  Sometimes hearing songs live gives you a whole new appreciation for the guts of the songs, and this was the case for these two.

I've been pretty vocal about musical preferences, and how I enjoy a wide variety of genres, and yet have a strong dislike for twang.  Generally, the banjo is slotted into this "twang" category but I have to say that I've been converted after seeing this show.  I've never before seen anyone rock the shit out of a banjo, but I now am witness to it's possibility.  It is to the credit of the Avett Brothers creativity that they were able to produce a sound with instruments I would normally shun, that completely pulled me in and turn me around to embrace them.  They can't be pinned down to any one genre, and I absolutely love this about them.

I came out of the show and my cheeks hurt from smiling as "big goofy grin" was my permanent facial expression for the evening.  I think the secret ingredient may just have been the positivity and "goodness" that this band laser beams out to it's fans.  I tend to gravitate towards music that makes me feel, and a lot of the time that involves content that can be sad, or lack positivity, where you can latch onto a big emotional pull and be empathetic to the experience and that is the connection I make to it.  What the Avett Brothers inspire, I find, in their music and in their personalities, is hope.  Even the mournful music they produce has an element of hope to it, and their presence just beams of it.  They seemed to be extremely sincere in the love of what they do, and their appreciation of us for enjoying it.  The evening was a giant love fest between stage and audience (in their goodbye to us, Seth even referred to us as "Sweethearts".  Awwww!).  He was definitely my favorite Avett.

Their Facebook page this morning sent out a picture with a note:  "Oh Canada...we had such a very good time.  Thanks so much for having us."  Scott, Seth and band, no, Thank YOU.  Most fun I've had at a concert in a long time and I so look forward to your return.

Set List:
Laundry Room

Will You Return
The Fall
Down With The Shine
Shame
January Wedding
Paranoia in B Flat Major
Tin Man
Love Like The Movies
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise
Murder In The City
I Would Be Sad
Denouncing November Blue (Uneasy Writer)
Ballad of Love and Hate
When I Drink
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
And It Spread
The Traveling Song
At The Beach
Pretty Girl From Cedar Lane
Kick Drum Heart
I and Love and You

Encore:
Living Of Love
Perfect Space
Talk on Indolence

Scott - Murder in the City



Seth - Ballad of Love and Hate



Full Band - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise