Craig Norris' (of cbc radio3) band, the Kramdens, are playing Hillside as well this year according to their website. In addition to that, they have a gig at Riverside park on June 15th for the Multi-cultural fest.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wooden Hands and Foxy Jaws.
Coming up the stairs to the ebar I already liked what I was hearing. A five-piece I later found out was named "Fox Jaws" was playing some accessible guitar-indie with shared male/female vocals. They didn't totally blow anyone away but I am more than a little interested in checking them out again on June 5th when they return to Guelph. The song "Dance your face off" was a highlight but hardly accomplished its stated goal.
Next up "Beth in Battle Mode" (after a somewhat prolonged delay) played a keyboard-heavy mash that wasn't unappealing but sort of wore thin with the same call & response choruses song after song.
Finally (I say that cuz it was a later night than usual for a Thursday ebar gig) Woodhands took to the stage with the drummer (Paul) at his kit on one side of the wall of music-making materials, and the primary singer (Dan) on the other, ready to attack his sorted array of instruments. The word "frenetic" kept coming to mind while taking in this spectacle - mostly in the "frantic-energetic" sense. With only 2 members they filled the space pretty well (with much thanks to the looping pedals, and drum machines) and totally played off of each other in a very natural manner. Paul even laid down a couple rhymes for us, including what I believe they said was a Wu-tang verse, while the keytarist keyed us up to high energy. Much of the crowd was moving along to the jam session especially during closer (and personal fave) 'Dancer' that was "a long one" (as promised after they declared it was their last song to some vocal disappointment). This final hurrah swirled and soared and twisted all around until crashing to an extended (but enjoyable) close. Woodhands proved to be a band that lived up to their live billing and look to have a bright future ahead.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Speculation
This is based purely on my speculation (and hopes!) but Broken Social Scene who have played the festival before will be performing the weekend prior to Hillside on Coney Island, NY. Not a long trek from Guelph in a week... They then play Lollapalooza (Chicago) the following weekend.
Of note: the latest "BSS presents..." album drops the Tuesday (22nd) before Hillside.
Also one of last year's buzz bands based purely on their Hillside tent demolishing closing set, Shout Out Out Out Out, are doing another festival this summer in Canada. SO4 play the Winnipeg Jazz Fest a month earlier - and I know they played Hillside last year and Hillside Inside but who knows? Maybe they'll get a third straight invite.
In other Arts & Crafts news, the Most Serene Republic are playing the Hillside Saturday according to their label.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Get your Hillside Tickets!
T-1h45m
My internal alarm must still have been set for "weekday" as I groggily awoke on this foggy Saturday morning. Figuring I may as well roll with it I forgo breakfast and head downtown to try and scoop some early-bird tickets.
T-1h10m
Cash in hand I take three steps down the alley towards the Hillside office before noting a remarkable line, spinning and heading to the Bookshelf. Here the lineup is still much longer than I anticipate but only about 100 people in length so I join the end of it (right at the start of the narrow alley). Rumour has it that the Hillside office wait is much longer so I prepare for not getting early-bird, but still anticipate my weekend pass.
T-30m
Most of the people in front of me suddenly bolt from the line. I move up to find out why and the man handing out wristbands informs us that he only has about 10 left. Upon hearing this I attempt to catch up to the first wave who are now hurrying off towards the Hillside office. This lineup naturally is ridiculously long and as I walk down it towards the end I wonder about my chances now.
T-15m
A volunteer comes along the line to keep us in the loop. Some outspoken people complain about the incident at the Bookshelf to which there is no good response given. I contemplate abandoning the line to attempt to book online, but decide to stick it out and try via telephone if 10am rolls around without any assurance of a weekend pass.
T-3m
Another volunteer is quickly working her way down the line in front of us. In her hand is a short stack of blue tickets that is quickly diminishing. As she gets to the people in front of me it grows ever-so-thin and my stomach clenches with nervousness. After handing over the requested amount to the people directly in front she turns to me and my friend and holds up one ticket in each hand. I spit out "I only need one" and she hands it over, leaving just one for my friend who was looking for two (but I was actually there before him so I don't feel too guilty about serving myself first). The people directly behind us are heartily disappointed with many abandoning the line right then and there.
T=0
Behind us is a frenzy of phone call activity with very little success from all accounts. I can breathe a little easier knowing that the little blue ticket is safely tucked away in my pocket which guarantees me a weekend pass for the apparently hugely popular Hillside festival.
T+30m
Word is being passed that weekend passes through the phone/internet are now sold out as well and the guy behind us gives up his redialing. The amount of people behind us now has dwindled to only about 25 hopeful that people ahead will give up their passes or there will be excess tickets still available.
T+1h
The blue-ticket-volunteer returns with a smile and asks my friend how many tickets he was looking for. He requests one more and is handed a ticket while the next two people in line are also given a ticket. This makes them very happy but still leaves many anxious hopeful-attendees to their rear.
T+2h
Still waiting in a slowly moving line.
T+2h30m
The rain has finally begun to fall after threatening all morning. Those behind us demonstrate their resolve by remaining in line despite no guarantee of weekend passes.
T+3h
Finally nearing the door to the building we find the free coffee and cookies long gone but see that the end is in sight.
T+3h15m
I am now the proud owner of a weekend pass (and a couple Saturday passes for friends). I hope that most of the people behind us also received passes - but after nearly 4.5 hours I am in no mood to wait further to find out.
See you all at the festival. Thanks for making the longest line of my life to-date a less painful one.
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