BOTF’s Favourite Concerts of 2009
Posted: January 4th, 2010 | Author: danieljosef | Filed under: Concert Review |1. Fever Ray - Kool Haus - 10/02/2009
“The set that followed was probably the most intense (in a good way!) concert I have ever witnessed, dark, a bit chilling but overtly enjoyable. Karin stayed in “character” the entire set, did not speak or take part in any stage banter, which added to the performance. I guess you could say that it really wasn’t just a concert, but a performance art piece, every sense what stimulated, the music could be felt in your bones, the visuals (lazers, lighting, costumes) and I will always remember the dense smell of dry ice that was forever being pumped into the venue.”
2. tUnE-yArDs/Think About Life - Polish Combatants Hall - 05/22/2009
“Last but not least Think About Life took the stage at 11:30pm, and launched into Havin’ My Baby, the second track on their new album. Perfect song to start their set. High energy, fun, and totally danceable. Their set was super upbeat and got the room going. They played pretty much all ofFamily including Johanna, Sweet Sixteen, Young Hearts, The Wizzard and Set You On Fire. The material is even better live than recorded. They finished with Paul Cries (from their debut), which saw a good chunk of the audience take to the stage for a full dance party invasion. In convinced that their set last night will be one of my favourite shows of the year. It was near perfect.”
3. The XX - Phoenix - 12/02/2009 - The most hyped band of 2009 delivers a set so strong that anyone doubting the British threesome’s sheer talent were automatically converted. Stark, simple and using a drum machine instead of a drum kit, the band worked their way through their debut starting with the gorgeous Intro climaxing with the dead-sexy Shelter, everything was perfect. Except for all the frat boys there to see Friendly Fires.
4. Patrick Wolf - Mod Club - 06/17/2009 - Nylon Magazine’s Summer Tour brought Patrick back to Toronto in support of The Bachelor and with a slew of “up and coming” indie bands. Painfully terrible sets by Jaguar Love and Living Things were endured by the pay off was magical. Wolf has transformed himself into an indie gay icon, a camped-up diva who threw more than one fit during his set due to the poor sound system in the venue. But when he was on, it was near perfect. Playing songs from his entire back catalogue, he ran through a set that brought out his many different personas, the tortured artist, the sad indie boy, the campy sexed-up pop star. The show finished with Patrick clad only in a leather g-string, dancing on the floor of the venue in the heart of the crowd. This was one show that shouldn’t have been missed.
5. Antony and the Johnsons - Queen Elizabeth Theatre - 02/17/09 - Antony is one of our generations greatest artists. Period. On the heels of the release of the brilliant The Crying Light, Antony brought his Johnsons to the Queen’s Elizabeth Theatre for a magical evening of music and laughter. Antony is a great performer and tells really funny stories about each song, little antidotes about their origins. The set features songs from all three albums including Epilepsy Is Dancing, Aeon, Kiss My Name and crowd favourite Cripple and the Starfish.
Honourable Mentions:
Vampire Weekend at the Horseshoe
Bat For Lashes at Mod Club
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Kool Haus