Live Baby Live

December 13, 2008 @ Sound Academy - Toronto, ON

“Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer…” I have this new Metric song stuck in my head all the time. I’m talking everyday, all day. From the very first time I heard “Help, I’m Alive” I instantly remembered the lyrics and found myself singing along when they opened with this song at the Jingle Bell Rock show at the Sound Academy a few weeks back–after only hearing it twice, ever (I don’t listen to the radio, cut me some slack).

While I didn’t stay for the whole show, I’d dare to say that what I did see was one of the best Metric performances I’d been to in quite some time, and I regret not sticking around. They always put on a great show, but this one had a little extra sumthin’ sumthin. Maybe it was the new songs?

In terms of shooting the show, the light was hit and miss, but I managed and am fairly satisfied with what I got. Can’t say the same for the opening bands (The Dears and Tokyo Police Club), unfortunately.

Full Metric set here.

July 26, 2007 @ Wakestock - Toronto, ON

For ages, I’d been trying to get out to a Fucked Up show at some little hole in the wall place, because I’d heard how insane their show was. Unfortunately, other shows always coincided and Wakestock was my first opportunity to check them out. Too bad they’re not really the kind of band you want to see in the middle of the day on a big stage with very few people in the crowd, rather they’re better suited for late night in-yer-face action, so I was feeling kind of robbed. That said, they were still quite entertaining and fun to watch, and singer Damian Abraham in particular didn’t disappoint, crushing full pop cans into his skull or pouring the pop down his pants.

As much fun as that was, I hope to be able to make it out to a smaller show soon. They’re playing Wrongbar in Toronto on May 13th, which is the same night as Feist, so hopefully they play late enough that I can work it out.

Fucked Up gallery here.

June 7, 2007 @ Silver Dollar Room - Toronto, ON

When I walked into the Silver Dollar really late the Thursday night of NxNE last year, I found myself almost stepping right on Cities in Dust singer, Zach Frank, who was writhing all over the floor, screaming into his microphone. Two seconds later he was screaming directly into my face, which I took as a warm welcome. Needless to say, Zach was an excellent subject for the camera, though I had to use my dreaded flash just to catch him.

I’d caught them once the previous summer during Scenefest in St. Catharines, but at the time they didn’t leave much of an impression on me. My next introduction happened when I was sent a copy of Night Creatures, and was immediately floored by the wicked album art, which now ranks as one of my all time favourites. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to bust the disc before ever playing it, so most of what I’ve heard from them has been live.

If you’re looking for some balls-to-the-wall energy, check them out in a small venue (with a low stage)…good stuff.

Cities in Dust gallery here.

Last week Welsh “it girl” Duffy played her first show in Toronto to a sold out Mod Club crowd. Opening with her first single, title track “Rockferry,” she worked her way through her entire album in about an hour, which made for a short evening since there was no opening band. While many are calling Duffy the next Amy Winehouse, her voice sounds similar, but her musical range isn’t quite as varied just yet and aside from a few songs, most felt the same as the next. She also seemed to have a canned set of movements on stage, but given that she’s just recently been plucked from obscurity it’s easy to forgive, since she’s still in that phase of finding her footing (literally).

Overall, the concert was a pleasant experience and the audience gave her a very warm Canadian welcome. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her back in town in the near future.

Duffy gallery here.

Well, the first contest went well, so here I am with another…

Welsh songstress and “next big thing,” Duffy, has been making big waves over in the UK, and it looks like she’s set to do the same in North America. With many comparisons to Amy Winehouse (minus the trainwreck image) and Dusty Springfield, Duffy has a big, soulful voice that sounds timeless and beyond her years, while being fresh at the same time. Her debut album, Rockferry will be released in North America on May 13.

So, who wants to check out this lovely lady in person? I have a pair of tickets to give away to Duffy’s March 18th show at the Mod Club (Toronto), courtesy of Universal Music, for the third person to email me with the answer to this question: what Welsh city was Duffy born in?

Don’t fret if you don’t win, it looks like tickets are still available for $15.50 on Ticketmaster. A bargain!

If you’re unfamiliar with her music, you can visit Duffy’s Myspace page for a few short audio clips or head over to YouTube to watch the video for the title track “Rockferry” (which reminds me very much of Mazzy Star, incidentally).

Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Universal Music.