Its been a long summer...and Fall and now winter is approaching so when a promoter friend invited me to join him and some friends at his last big show of the year, the timing was perfect.
Having been a fan of the Wye Oak cd "Civilian" for some time, and having missed the band the last two times they appeared in Toronto, I knew I had to get to this show early enough to see how they would do. The venue, our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs arena, the Air Canada Center, would not be your first choice to witness this two piece but it turns out that with the strength of Jenn Wasner's voice and the power of this indie/folk/noise pop band, you need not be concerned. The songs i loved so much from the new cd sound even better live, even here! As their set progressed....I could see Wye Oak's "Civilian" moving higher in my top tens. My only regret is that I had not seen them the last two times they were here...but will be planning to see them again soon!
Neko Case is nice enough to visit us in Toronto often. She bounces onto the stage with her full band, including Calexico's John Covertino on drums, as comfortable and alluring as she has ever been. Her powerful voice, brilliant band, and wit displayed in conversations between her and her muse, Kelly...filled the arena setting with a perfect set. Hre set consisted of plenty of classics to keep everyone happy but also reminded everyone that she had not produced a solo album since 2009. Those concerns drifted away with the addition on two new songs that sounded incredible as well as a gorgeous cover of The Awkward Stage's "We Dreamt of Houses" all of which I hope make the new cut for the new cd as all the new "songs are splendid!.
The National have toured for 18 months straight and many of us in Toronto were curious how they would have progressed since an amazing set of shows at Massey Hall. We need not have worried as their show has grown and matured since then, enough so that they would have no issue with building their show up to the level that would be required in this arena. Their show actually started well before they hit the stage as they had a live camera set up backstage so that everyone in the arena could follow their pre -show rituals..the horseing around that occurs backstage and an intimate look at what goes on behind the scene..an incredible addition to their show. The camera followed them to the stage where they hit the crowd with a beautifully intimate version of "The Runaway"..a challenge to do this song up front but they pulled it off and if they can pull off this ....they can do most anything.
Their 100 minute set showed off a very comfortable and highly skilled band. Pulling songs from their entire career including "Son" off their self-titled debut..the band and the horn section pulled the crowd in every direction. With the addition of the horns, the band produced stunning and dynamic versions of "Squalor Victoria" "Slow Show" and "Conversation 16" with Matt Berninger leading the crowd in his usual manic ways...until Matt could no longer deal with the fact that local fire regulation restricted the amount of general admission fans that could stand on the floor next to the stage.
To fill up the floor area, Matt decided to climb into the stands, and personally invite people down onto the floor area and of course everyone approached, and many more, took him up on the invite! Security surprisingly backed off and let the floor area fill well past normal capacity and a very pleased Berninger returned to the stage.
This seemed to perfect opportunity ( as the crowd had hit a frenzied peak) to push the crowd even further by introducing them to a new song called " I Need My Girl" by bringing our very own Owen Pallet to the stage to assist the band. This song is fantastic and if this is a sign of things to come from a new record we should all look forward to it! Then, keeping Owen on the stage, they played what most consider to be the most epic, powerful version of "England" that we have ever heard. Soon to follow would be "Fake Empire" and an encore that would include another new song and live debut of.."Rylan" and the encore ending with Jenn from Wye Oak joining the band and Matt with an incredible "off the mic" version of a sing-along with the crowd of "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks"..a spectacular way to end the show.
Leaving the show...there was no doubt in my mind that this was the best Christmas present I was going to get ..for some time!
Jim
SET LIST
1. Runaway
2. Anyone's Ghost
3. Mistaken For Strangers
4. Baby, We'll Be Fine
5. Bloodbuzz Ohio
6. Slow Show
7. Squalor Victoria
8. Afraid Of Everyone
9. Conversation 16
10. Son
11. Apartment Story
12. Abel
13. Sorrow
14. I Need My Girl
(New song, live debut)
15. England
16. Fake Empire
17. Encore:
17. Rylan
(New song, live debut)
18. Mr. November
19. Terrible Love
20. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
(Acoustic, Off-Mic)