Kazoo Fest: A 'Rich' Party with Diamond Rings (PS: I Love You)

Let's say the party planning committee convened for a brainstorming session.. do you think they could come up with something as over-the-top as Rich Aucoin brought to the Jimmy Jazz in Guelph last Friday?

Gathering the crowd together in a little-league style huddle there was a hip-hip-hooray cheer, complete with balloons and confetti, to get the party started. Immediately following this, the pre-programmed dance beat kicked in so people could shake it. While youtube sensation video clips shone on the wall, he cut up their audio, including the "ow ow ow ow ow" grape-stomper, to form the beat. When it wasn't viral videos, the music kept time with an skewed-colour version of the animated 'Grinch' movie circa 1966. It was difficult to pay attention to any of that however, as Rich did his best to whip the crowd up by running amongst us when not manning his keyboard or effect-mic. He jumped and clapped and started sing-alongs to the lyrics splashed over top of the videos and generally encouraged a raucous party. People were only too happy to partake in this mixed-media bash -- Rich Aucoin for party planning president!

The energy may have been down for the next band, but the noise level was WAY up - and they were only twice as big as the solo Rich Aucoin set. PS I Love You amped things up through a slew of electric guitar effect pedals and hard-hitting drumming. Nearing the end of the set they brought out John O'Regan (Diamond Rings/D'Urbervilles) to guest sing, but mostly just groove.

Diamond Rings were next and so John's dancing continued, but now in a more interpretive style to the prepared Macbook Pro beats. O'Regan also played some keys and sang but it was his movement that entertained me the most. However after a few of his tracks, and one music-filled night (see Bruce Peninsula review) I called it a night, to wade home through the drunken university students puking and falling over. (Them, not me!)