Whether it was the coveted Saturday night Island Tent closing slot or simply their preceding rep I can't be sure but people were pressing themselves to the stage in frantic anticipation of the Japandroids set. In fact rather than leaving the already full pit area following The Beauties, people were actually packing themselves in further. I use the word pit since soon after all the stage prep was complete for this powerful two-piece they launched into a mosh-pit inducing set. It was loud, it was distorted, it was incredible.
Introducing themselves by first names, Brian and David started out strong and carried that energy throughout the entire set - most of which Brian spent perched on an equipment case set at the foot of David's kickdrum. Speaking of the kickdrum, each pound reverberated through my chest as the wall of amps (and everything else) was cranked up to maximize the output from this small band that loves to pack a big punch. And with hard rockin' music, frenzied fans and a small, sweaty tent we had a volatile mix of elements. Security did their best to contain us, while the stage manager wore an intense expression throughout, but the crowd wasn't to be stopped. Crowd surfing, shoving and stumbling en masse ensued, though with this being Hillside everyone was simply out to enjoy themselves so no one would be hurt.
In celebration the boys popped champagne and after a couple swigs asked the audience to pass it back to their sound guy. In true Hillside fashion fans stopped their moshing to calmly pass the bottle along and I thought it had a shot of making it until Brian gave the OK to have "a little drink" along the way and so the bubbly started going down.
It was wild, the most wild I've seen a Guelph-lake crowd get and it made it a uniquely awesome set. With lyrics like "I don't wanna worry 'bout dying, I just wanna worry 'bout sunshine girls" and "Remember saying things like 'we'll sleep when we're dead'" it seemed appropriate to join the melee and belt them right out too. 
[Set list consisted of the latest two singles, Art Czars and Younger Us, plus the majority of Post Nothing with highlights being Boys Are Leaving Town, Sovereignty, Wet Hair and a stellar version of Young Hearts Spark Fire.]
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Japandroids (Hillside 2010)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Hillside Saturday 2010
Battling on-again, off-again rainstorms Hillside Saturday took a little while to get rolling. 
Royal Wood was the first set to really wow the audience, with his earnest songwriting and piano chops (though props should also be given to young locals, The Canned Goods for their dynamite Hillside debut.) Full credit to My Son the Hurricane for doing everything in their collective power to get a party started (and being somewhat successful). The Acorn were solid and Basia Bulat ran through a rain-shortened but pretty string of songs on the main stage. Kudos of the day belongs to Flash Lightnin' who came outta nowhere and floored us all with three-piece rock'n'roll; their set closer (not the much deserved encore number) stands as my favourite single song played so far this weekend. The anticipation for closers Japandroids was palpable as all levels were cranked to 11 and the place went off with the first legitimate mosh-pit I think I've ever witnessed on the island. (Full reviews to come.)
Whatta day, and with tomorrow's sun acts like Shad, Shapes and Sizes, Stars, Corb Lund and Holy Fuck plus a whole lot more are gonna shine!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Big Shows in Little Guelph (THT Updates x2)
A glance at the sidebar schedule might make you think you were living in a big city, but in reality lil old Guelph is being blessed by concerts from some big, formerly big and gonna be big names in the upcoming months. Not to knock the others on that list but here are some highlights.
Metric is playing the University of Guelph's frosh week. Introduction probably unnecessary, but in order to see Emily Haines and co. you'll need to be a student or at least know a student. You may also need to know a loan shark as tickets are $36 - ouch! Peter Clark Hall is an awful venue, but that's usually because it is mostly empty, which may not be a problem for this show.
Japandroids who've been getting some hype (including being the X3 artist of the month for May 2009) were forced to cancel their last tour at the last minute due to a medical emergency. This BC power duo are known to bring a heckuva sound are returning to make up for that missed show. Support Mt. Saint Helen's Vietnam Band, Little Girls.
The Bouncing Souls are punk rock veterans, having played countless Warped Tours not to mention touring constantly on their own over the past twenty, yes twenty years! I caught them a few years ago at the Vancouver Warped and my desciption isn't particularly complimentary but you've gotta hand it to these vets for still bringing it after all this time. If they got me in the pit it musta been doing something right. Along for the ride are Saint Alvia Cartel. Early Show!
Two Hours Traffic bring their pop-done-right sound from the Island of Prince Edward in October. Lucky for us THT haven't forgotten about Guelph just yet when making their jaunts across the country. I remember their free gig at Jimmy Jazz just a couple years ago, and the two eBar shows that followed those - with the crowds growing for each one. I didn't blog any but I did write after the second eBar gig "Another solid fun-filled set, with 4 new songs including a good one called Noise Maker." I see that Noise Maker did indeed make the new album Territory; the opening track no less. Can't find the opening support just yet, but regardless The Danks who include a couple THT boys in their lineup are playing too - so I'd DEFINITELY advise getting tickets ahead of time for this one!
Whoa, further update as this big show gets bigger and Spiral Beach join the bill.
Not just The Acorn but Ohbijou too! This gig was supposed to go down last year if I recall but was cancelled well ahead of time for reasons that escape me now. It is back on and at the Dublin St. Church. Never seen the Acorn but Glory Hope Mountain was a killer album, and Ohbijou are lovely (and current X3 artists of the month). This'll be something to see!
The Hidden Cameras finally return to Guelph. Their live shows are known to be spectacles. Unfortunately I missed the last time they played the Dublin St. Church, and it has been over 2 years since that time so catch them while they're here!
Library Voices are doing a free gig. They may not be as well-known as some of the bands above but damn are they as great! It is a noon-hour concert (exactly what it sounds like, a show at high-noon in the UoG UC courtyard) and it's 100% free. I gave them some love for their recent Hillside show.
Almost worth canceling my travel plans to catch all these great acts...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Japandroids Postponed
Heads up that the Japandroids tour has been slashed due to illness.. apparently make-up dates will be made down the line. No word yet as to whether the Fortnight show will go on with the rest of the line-up/replacements.. Canceled!
