Alright, let’s get back to it. Here are some shows I’ve been to recently, with exciting commentary!
Iron & Wine, September 26, Metropolis
I really should stick to my rule of only seeing bands once unless they’re touring on an album I really love. Last time I saw Sam, he was touring with Calexico, and put on a fantastic show. That first show was a bit uneven though - Calexico played first, firing everybody up, so it was a bit difficult settling back down to enjoy I&W. This time around, a Metropolis fully filled with chairs should have led to a setting more conducive to enjoying I&W, but I wasn’t quite there.
I think we saw one of the first shows of the tour, given that the new album was only released a few days before the show. The band was large, tight, and very professional - it included Leroy Bach (formerly of Wilco!), as well as members of Calexico and Califone. But, like on the new album, I found the more complex arrangements detracted from the arrangements, rather than enhancing them. Most, if not all, of the new album was played, and old favourites like “Sodom, South Georgia” were substantially rearranged. In some cases the new arrangements were really interesting, in others not so much.
The highlight for me was seeing Sam perform a solo version of ‘History of Lovers’ - one of my favourite songs, and the only song from In The Reins that was skipped last time. I’ve always loved the idea that, in the aftermath of a knife-fight, the narrators chief worry is whether or not Louise understands the irony of the situation.
United Steelworkers of Montreal / Two-Minute Miracles / The Barmitzvah Brothers / Ox, October 5, Le Gymnase
A full bill of artists from Weewerk Records. Funnily enough, I think I’ve seen or heard almost every band on that label now. I liked Ox a lot - alt-country in the vein of Son Volt, but a little unpolished. The Barmitzvah Brothers seemed to base their whole show around being quirky, which was interesting for about five minutes. Two-Minute Miracles were very interesting - quiet, haunting songs, with lots of space and silence. The lead singer and guitarist had incredibly long fingers, allowing him to play some really crazy chords on his guitar.
The headliners, The United Steelworkers of Montreal, were a real treat. It was a rowdy, hometown show for them, with a great crowd. Their website bills them as combining “country crooners with outlaw rockers”, which sounds about right - lots of songs about waking up with mysterious tattoos.
The National / Doveman, October 7, Le National
The National at Le National! A fairly subdued show in a really nice venue that seems to be getting a lot more good shows recently. Definitely a strong show, with incredible musicianship all around, but their album Boxer is probably better suited to headphones than a concert setting.
Elliott Brood / The Acorn, October 11, Sala Rossa
Elliott Brood (also on Weewerk) have been one of my favourite discoveries this year - dark, dark folk/country music, mainly driven by distorted acoustic guitars and yowling vocals. What’s not to like? The unfortunate thing about this show was that Elliott Brood didn’t take the stage til 11:30pm, so a lot of the audience drifted away during their set. Here’s a video of one of their more upbeat songs:
Katie Loves Pain, October 12, Thomson House
These guys were alright. They seemed a little uptight during their first set, but loosened up a lot in the second as the drink started to flow. Word on the street is that they’ll be playing again in January, after a few of the members finish their qualifying exams!
Iron & Wine, September 26, Metropolis
I really should stick to my rule of only seeing bands once unless they’re touring on an album I really love. Last time I saw Sam, he was touring with Calexico, and put on a fantastic show. That first show was a bit uneven though - Calexico played first, firing everybody up, so it was a bit difficult settling back down to enjoy I&W. This time around, a Metropolis fully filled with chairs should have led to a setting more conducive to enjoying I&W, but I wasn’t quite there.
I think we saw one of the first shows of the tour, given that the new album was only released a few days before the show. The band was large, tight, and very professional - it included Leroy Bach (formerly of Wilco!), as well as members of Calexico and Califone. But, like on the new album, I found the more complex arrangements detracted from the arrangements, rather than enhancing them. Most, if not all, of the new album was played, and old favourites like “Sodom, South Georgia” were substantially rearranged. In some cases the new arrangements were really interesting, in others not so much.
The highlight for me was seeing Sam perform a solo version of ‘History of Lovers’ - one of my favourite songs, and the only song from In The Reins that was skipped last time. I’ve always loved the idea that, in the aftermath of a knife-fight, the narrators chief worry is whether or not Louise understands the irony of the situation.
United Steelworkers of Montreal / Two-Minute Miracles / The Barmitzvah Brothers / Ox, October 5, Le Gymnase
A full bill of artists from Weewerk Records. Funnily enough, I think I’ve seen or heard almost every band on that label now. I liked Ox a lot - alt-country in the vein of Son Volt, but a little unpolished. The Barmitzvah Brothers seemed to base their whole show around being quirky, which was interesting for about five minutes. Two-Minute Miracles were very interesting - quiet, haunting songs, with lots of space and silence. The lead singer and guitarist had incredibly long fingers, allowing him to play some really crazy chords on his guitar.
The headliners, The United Steelworkers of Montreal, were a real treat. It was a rowdy, hometown show for them, with a great crowd. Their website bills them as combining “country crooners with outlaw rockers”, which sounds about right - lots of songs about waking up with mysterious tattoos.
The National / Doveman, October 7, Le National
The National at Le National! A fairly subdued show in a really nice venue that seems to be getting a lot more good shows recently. Definitely a strong show, with incredible musicianship all around, but their album Boxer is probably better suited to headphones than a concert setting.
Elliott Brood / The Acorn, October 11, Sala Rossa
Elliott Brood (also on Weewerk) have been one of my favourite discoveries this year - dark, dark folk/country music, mainly driven by distorted acoustic guitars and yowling vocals. What’s not to like? The unfortunate thing about this show was that Elliott Brood didn’t take the stage til 11:30pm, so a lot of the audience drifted away during their set. Here’s a video of one of their more upbeat songs:
Katie Loves Pain, October 12, Thomson House
These guys were alright. They seemed a little uptight during their first set, but loosened up a lot in the second as the drink started to flow. Word on the street is that they’ll be playing again in January, after a few of the members finish their qualifying exams!
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