Hurray - after weeks of speculation it has finally been confirmed that Broken Social Scene will be playing Hillside this year. Boy am I glad I got the full weekend package as they will be the closers on Sunday. I can't think of a much better way to cap off the 25th Anniversary weekend than this. Now the speculation as to which of the 'scene's members will be on-board...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
It's a Hillside Miracle!
One of my favourite bands from last year has been added as a part of the "POP Montreal" showcase. Last year I believe plants and animals, and so called were a part of this. Anyways Miracle Fortress are playing - probably saturday again. If the live show stacks up to the recorded it'll be something to take in.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Hey Rosetta! (and Jon and Roy)
Jon and Roy opened up (barefoot) and were a mix of acoustic and drums or bongos. A very Jack-Johnson feel to it that got old rather quick (and lasted far too long). (4.5/10)
I bought the CD before they started because I'm sort of obsessed with these guys right now. I'm not sure what it is - the song Another Pilot struck me and became a fave a couple months ago (from their EP Plan Your Attack). Desperately I searched for mp3's to no avail (maybe I just love the pursuit?). After having their last show in Guelph canceled due to illness this was the make-up show and I wanted to be sure to see them while I still had the chance. I've got this inkling that they have commercial success just around the corner.. Another possibility for my insta-love for them could be that they're from St.John's Newfoundland. Which certainly helps but its more the excellent balladry, piano soft, and guitar rock mix (often within the same track!) that keeps things fresh.
The 6-piece took the stage with Tim on the keys and vocals, slowly leading us in before the band took up the cause. The guitarist played well and sang here and there. The cello and violin were a great addition and shone through (as the violinist's eyes shone on Tim for most of the set). Bass and drums rounded out the sextet.
The first song was off the freshly released Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood) which I'd just bought.. then they threw a couple "oldies" (relative term) at us with my previously mentioned fave "Another Pilot" and then "Lions for Scottie". They won me over early and it seemed as they went on more and more people got onboard. In fact when we looked around near the end of the set we saw that the normally sparsely populated bar was now packed (the most I'd ever seen in there). Just as on CD they mixed slow ("Holy Shit - what a relief") and fast, piano and guitar, to great effect. If they played all night I would have stayed all night. But after a generous show they said goodnight but were immediately met with an encore-worthy round of cheering and soon returned to play Into Your Lungs opener "New Goodbye" as a fitting close to the evening.
(9/10)
It was one of the best performances in recent memory and if they continue (as I know they will) they're going to be winning fans over all across this country. Is it too early to say Polaris '09?
"I told myself look up and believe" sings Tim - and they've given plenty of reason to believe in their bright future.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Kramming Craig Norris into Hillside
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.
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.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Emailed
Here's a more or less official early glimpse based on the email sent out by Hillside. Including Akron/Family and Born Ruffians as speculated earlier.
Akron/Family
Bell Orchestre
Black Cabbage
Born Ruffians
The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir
Cowboy Junkies
Hawksley Workman (Friday)
Hayden
Land of Talk
Harry Manx
Plants & Animals
Kelly Joe Phelps
The Sadies
The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean (Sunday Evening)
Friday, April 25, 2008
AKRON added to the Hillside FAMILY
On their myspace as well as a couple other blogs the Akron/Family is apparently playing Saturday this year showing everyone how simple love really is.
Also found via myspace:
Moshav
local Nabi Lonie on the Sunday
Albertan Rae Spoon
David Woodhead
Christine Bougie
Taxi Chain
Dubblestandart
Haale
According to Molly Kurvink: "'6 lb. head' is playing as well as "harri palm and the solo pilots". [Molly] may also be playing with "james gordon and sons".
Note that I'm just listing bands that aren't already on the Hillside official site or on easily accessible sources like canoe live.
Arts & Crafts & Hillsides
Hoping the Cons might play their hometime festival once again I checked arts and crafts and wasn't wholly disappointed since I found that Jason Collett is confirmed for the festival but no other bands from that label just yet. (stars, apostle of hustle, broken social scene, feist, the dears, los campesinos and the most serene republic and probably more A&C bands have played it in the past)
Also Hawksley Workman was originally scheduled for Friday evening (and still is as far as I know) and the Bell Orchestra are listed as Sunday on the posters around town. Otherwise the scheduling is still up in the air.
edit: The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir which apparently were something to see in their day (before my day) are reuniting on Saturday the 26th on the main stage. I post this here as Andrew Whiteman is a member (just as he is a member of apostle of hustle and BSS)
The Burning Hell-side
(Are the lame word-play titles getting old yet?)
According to Radio3 (and backed up by their label) Peterborough's "The Burning Hell" are on the bill for Hillside as well; no specific date yet. I went into their UoG noon-hour concert with mild expectations having been knocked over by their song "It happens in Florida" and came out totally shocked by how great they were - and how their live set had so much more energy than anything recorded that I'd heard. Hopefully they play one of the smaller tents for an intimate setting that they seem to thrive in.
Radio3 also has translateOrator down for a Sunday afternoon spoken word/open-mic set, and David Celia on the Friday. However I've never heard of either of these bands and therefore can't elaborate.
SPIRAL on Hillside's BEACHes
According to Spiral Beach's site they will be casting their Voodoo on us this year at Hillside Festival (Friday July 25). Having missed their free gig at the keg during "Beach Week" this could prove a good opportunity to make up for it.
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