Reviews

Santana – Live in Kingston – Photos and Review

Santana – Live at the Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston Ontario – April 20th, 2016

 

“If your last December came
What would you do?
Will anybody remember
To remember you?

Did you stand tall?
Or did you fall?
Did you give your all?

Did you ever find a reason
Why you had to die?
Or did you just plan on leaving
Without wondering why?”   – excerpt from ‘The Last December’ – Prince

 

Santana was the legendary musician that everyone was there to see.  But another legendary musician was on everyone’s mind; Santana’s too.   Earlier that day Prince Rogers Nelson, know around the world as Prince was found dead at his home.    Every radio station was playing his music or talking about him while I drove to the arena.  People waiting to get into the arena were talking about Prince.  And thankfully Santana wanted to talk about him too.   After a rousing intro set Carlos welcomed the audience and started speaking about the loss we were all feeling in the death of a great musician and encouraged us to remember Prince not with sadness but to remember and sing with joy.  And with that he launched into a jubilant version of “Maria Maria”

Only a few songs later Santana asked for a lyric sheet and recited the verses posted above from Prince’s “The Last December”.    With the band bathed in purple lights they played the song in it’s entirety which brought the crowd to their feet.   And a few songs after, bassist Benny Rietveld played a solo rendition of “Purple Rain” and the crowd were on their feet again.   Prince was a highly respected and admired musician and on this night the band was clearly paying tribute to him in order to process the loss they were feeling too.   Fitting that Prince picked up Santana IV when he visited Minneapolis’ music shop Electric Fetus only a few days earlier on Record Store Day.

 

Santana fans that were there to enjoy his music had a great night.   With a set highlighting his mainstream hits (Maria Maria, Smooth, Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman), deep cuts and inspired covers (The Zombie’s ‘She’s Not There’, Marvin Gaye’s ‘Right On’ and a great jam on John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’).   Santana is obviously revered for this tremendous guitar playing but is a generous musician who gives all of the band time to shine (Not only is one of his singers a great singer but also a tremendous trombone player – not a combo you often come across).

 

On a night that started with sadness, Santana stuck to his word and remembered Prince by singing with joy.    A tremendous impromptu memorial and a great night of Santana and his music.

 

We give this show a 1999 out of 6.

 

 

 

Review – Cradle of Filth – Live in Toronto

“Happy Birthday Toronto!”

 

 

British extreme metal act Cradle of Filth rolled into the Phoenix just in time to celebrate Toronto’s 180th Birthday on March 6.  I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge extreme metal fan, but I appreciate the hell out of the spectacle, showmanship and the high level of musicianship that goes into it.  Special props to any drummer that can play double kick at a constant 240 beats per minute for a 90 minute set.    And if you want the best in extreme metal and showmanship you can’t go wrong with a Cradle of Filth show.    The crowd have costumes and makeup that rival the band’s and put KISS fans to shame.   The wave of crowd surfers being launched over the barricade and snaking their way through the crowd to do it again is hypnotizing.   The punishing drums, symphonic synths and operatic backing vocals meld with the guitar shred and vocal screams to really create something that’s almost theatre.   And the fans at the very front look like they’re in the midst of a religious awakening; screaming along to every lyric while their sweat extends their eye make up down their faces.    Metal fans really are the best.  They’re there to experience a connection that only they can explain.  Something that you don’t see at rock, country or pop shows.   They give their blood and sweat and want the same in return.  Cradle of Filth delivered everything they could and their fans loved them for it.  A fitting gift on Toronto’s 180th.

We’ll give this one a 3 out 6ix.

 

 

 

Review – Bullet For My Valentine – Live at the Phoenix in Toronto

“Where in the Hell am I going to park?!?”

 

It’s a good indicator of a band’s popularity when you can’t get a parking spot anywhere close to the venue.  Such was the case when Bullet For My Valentine played at the Phoenix on March 5th, 2016.   Once I finally found a spot (the furthest I’ve ever parked from The Phoenix) I got to the venue only to be greeted by two colleagues asking “Did you manage to find a parking spot?   This place is packed!!”

 

After a great show this past summer in the 6ix, BFMV were back in Toronto on their British Invasion tour.   Missing from the band on this leg of the tour was drummer Michael Thomas who is taking a break while he and his girlfriend await the arrival of their child.   In place of the Moose was drummer Jason Bowld of Pitchshifter and Axewound (w/ Matt Tuck of BFMV) who’s a great drummer and a great fit for the band.    (Moose will be back for the band’s summer dates).

 

BFMV’s brand of hard rock & metal is perfect for a packed club.  Set openers “No Way Out” and “Skin” had barely ended when a circle pit enveloped the theatre (something that just doesn’t work in a seated amphitheatre).   The band blew through 15 songs by my count with a wealth of the material coming from “Venom” (2015) and “Fever” (2010).  I think I only heard one track from Temper Temper.  Matt Tuck was engaging as always – taking time between songs to work the crowd up, share a story or crack a joke.   Overall BFMV are a fun and energetic band with a great Toronto fanbase.   Even after 15 songs the fans wanted more and I’m sure the band will be back soon enough to deliver again and again.   Set highlights included “Scream Aim Fire” & “Waking The Demon”.

 

We rate this a 4 out of 6ix.

 

Review – The Moth & The Flame and POP ETC in Toronto

“Damn…remember how good U2 used to be?”

 

Let me just start out and say that The Moth & The Flame are one of the best bands I’ve ever seen in a small venue.   Let me also say that I didn’t know a thing about them or the headliner, POP ETC, when I arrived at Adelaide Hall.  But the bands I’ve enjoyed most are usually the ones I know the least about.

The Moth & The Flame took to the stage and as soon as Brandon Robbins started singing the crowd silenced and moved towards the stage.   He has a soaring and pitch perfect voice that instantly reminds you of Bono…well Bono when he still had a soaring and pitch perfect voice (Think Achtung Baby era Bono mixed with the rawness of “Kite” from All That You Can’t Leave Behind”).  And upon thinking of this you’ll also be left wondering “Damn…remember how good U2 used to be?”.    But there’s so much more to this band than a vocally similarity to U2.   They’re a tremendous 4 piece that sounds like there are way more musicians on stage.   Their songs are smart, powerful and catchy as hell.    I’d go out of my way to see this band again.

 

Following a powerful opener is no easy task but tonight’s headliner was more than up for the task.  POP ETC, a powerful trio by way of Berkeley and Brooklyn, powered through an intense and entertaining set.  Touring in support of their January 2016 release “Souvenir”, this is a band to watch (and I’d hoped to see on a lot of summer festival lineups).   Even their Tears For Fears covers are clever and catchy.    Their sound is a great blend of indie rock and synth pop, and the band’s appreciation of the crowd and their love for Toronto came across in their banter and energy.

 

This was definitely a night that was over too quickly.  The sets flew by and left you wanting more while their songs echoed in your head.    Check out The Moth & The Flame  and POP ETC  as soon as you can.

 
We give this night a perfect 6 out of 6ix.