With Shane Koyczan being a spoken-word artist it is an intimidating task to attempt to describe his appearance at this year's Hillside Festival using only words. Making the task all the more difficult is the fact that it was the most moving performance of the year. The man did a mixture of spoken word pieces, both with and without musical accompaniment consisting of a male cello player and two females on keyboard, guitar and backing vocal duties. Shane sure can make you feel feelings through his seemingly simple stories and poems. Reactions ranged from smiles and laughs, to hugs and tears as he told tales of his childhood and Haikus about STDs (separate stories). The most affecting by far was that of a young, terminally-ill boy that Shane had met in the hospital and really needs to be heard for full-effect. That full effect was felt by every last person who crammed the tent to witness this wordsmith's magic, and they were unrelenting in their appreciation which brought a visibly touched Shane Koyczan back out for an unaccompanied encore that was met with more passionate applause.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Shane Koyczan (Hillside 2010)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hillside Sunday 2010
Woo-eee. That was something else! Another Hillside down, and one exhausted blogger here. So many greats that it's gonna take some time to get through it all but I'll press onward. Sunday brought out the likes of Shad - as solid as usual, Holy Fuck causing a dance fracas, Hayley Sales blowing us away with that voice and finally having the finale slot go to Stars who did not waste the opportunity (best encore from them I've seen).
Tonnes of photos, videos and of course reviews to come real soon. For now, good-night, and good-year to another incredibly amazing Hillside weekend.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Grand Ol' Hillside
A handful of artists added to the Hillside line-up today (via the official site) - some of note for different reasons.
Firstly there was another confirmation of a leak heard here first - Flashlight Radio will be playing (that **unconfirmed** list on the right hand side there is quickly dwindling!).
Also the hip hop artist Grand Analog will take the stage, making for a solid showing from that genre to go along with Shad K. Maybe Shad will even join them for their collaborative effort Electric City?!
And finally.. you remember that beat poet with the spoken word piece at the Vancouver Games opening ceremony? Sure ya do - anyhow that guy, Shane Koyczan by name, will be back to perform once again, having been at Hillside 2009 also. You may also know him from Dan Mangan's Roboteering EP on which Shane takes over with great effect on Tragic Turn Of Events / Move Pen Move. Check it out!
Other additions after the jump!
Also added:
Laura Marling
Reid Jamieson
