Andrew Bird @ Orpheum -- 05/21/16

Funny story: leading up to this show I was very excited to be finally seeing Andrew Bird live for the first time. I had been a fan since shortly after Armchair Apocrypha came out, but had somehow never seen him perform. Well, that's what I thought up until about two songs in, when I realised I had seen him before. It was at the Stanley Park Singing Exhibition, a two-day mini-festival that The New Pornographers put on at Malkin Bowl in 2008. 

Faulty memory aside, I was still excited to see him perform for the first time in a long time, as he toured his latest album Are You Serious stopping at Vancouver's beautiful Orpheum Theatre, the perfect venue for the indie-folk-rocker.

Taking the stage in front of their own lighting rig, Andrew Bird and his band opened with an instrumental which, if the internet is correct, was a cover of Alice Coltrane's "Journey in Satchidananda" before going into "Capsized" off the new album. Andrew and his band opened up on the song, setting the mood for the next hour an a half. While Bird was backed by a full band, but still made use of his looping pedals as he added layer upon layer to songs. He jumped between violin and guitar, sometimes even mid-song, looping violin parts while the guitar was strapped to his back. And let me tell you, can he ever whistle. 

With an effortless charm between songs, and a captivating presence while playing, Bird's set stretching throughout his career; going back to Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs with "A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left", and of course a strong dose of the new album with songs like the heart-melting "Left Hand Kisses", which he performed both rolls of the Fiona Apple duet. Other highlights included the sweeping "Are You Serious?" which had an added intensity live, the melancholic "Lusitania", and clear crowd favourite "Plasticities".

And I just want to mention the lighting quickly, which was incredibly. Occasionally Bird was lit from the floor in front of him so his giant shadow danced on the back of the stage, but for the most part their lighting rig behind them illuminated on the band, both with traditional spotlights on them, and an LED frame, either shifting with the drums, or twinkling as Bird plucked his violin. I love it when the lighting adds to the show, and makes it even more engaging to behold. 

After a love letter to Chicago with "Pulaski at Night", the band closed out the main set with "Armchairs", but the final notes held and techies fixed some things on stage, so it was more obvious than usual they'd be back. First, Bird crowded around the microphone with two of his bandmates for an acoustic cover of Neil Young's "Harvest", and stayed as the energy swelled to a climax for what would have been a perfect closer, "Give It Away". 
But then in what seemed like a "true encore moment", Bird stayed out alone while the band left, and took centre stage one last time. He introduced the final song as one he hadn't played in a long time, but that it just felt right in this setting before going into "Weather Stations" from the '03 album of the same name. His layered violins and haunting whistle filled the theatre as the rapt crowd 

It was a beautiful show, hearing Bird's majestic songs in a venue like the Orpheum, and I was really glad to see him for the first time... again. 

setlist
Journey in Satchidananda [Alice Coltrane cover]
Capsized
A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left
Tenuousness
Lusitania
Are you serious?
Truth Lies Low
Puma
Left Handed Kisses
Roma Fade
Three White Horses
Giant of Illinois
Plasticities
Valleys Of The Young
Pulaski at Night
Armchairs
(encore)
Harvest [Neil Young cover]
Give It Away
Weather Systems

An Evening with Said the Whale @ Fox Cabaret -- 05/07/16

Said the Whale are doing things a bit backwards. Instead of releasing a new album and then touring, the Vancouver band is road testing their new material on a cross country tour. Billed as "An Evening With Said the Whale" the shows consist of two separate sets; one with deep cuts and brand new material, and after an intermission, a "regular" set from the band.

They were joined by David Vertesi, pulling double duty filling in on bass and also opening the show with his own "sad dad cruise ship" songs. Which is both the name of this new album and the genre he proudly claims as his own. Vertesi was on stage alone, just his smooth baritone and heartfelt songs off both his albums, like the endearing "Gentlemen Say" and "Loud Talker" (which, sadly, seemed like instructions to some people at the back of the venue). David chatted with the crowd between songs, joking that we were here for the birth of the next big genre (the aforementioned 'Sad Dad Cruise Ship') and urging people to pick up his album at the merch table with his "pay what you can" model. 
Vertesi also pulled out a cover that has become a staple to his sets, earnestly introducing it as a song that meant a lot to him growing up, "Say You'll Be There" by Spice Girls. Every time I've seen him play the cover, it gets a nice reaction and a singalong, and this night was no different. He ended the short set with "Mountainside" one of the catchiest songs about a doomed relationship you'll hear, promising he'd see us sooner than we think. 

Not long after, the theme from Rick and Morty blared (to the delight of at least two people) as Said The Whale emerged for the first of their two sets, energized by the sold out, hometown crowd in the intimate venue. They launched straight in to "We Are 1980" off '012's Little Mountain before diving back for older songs and deep cuts; "Plans for the Future" and "Live off Lamb" from Howe Sound/Taking Abalonia, and especially "False Creek Change" being particularly poignant on this 30th anniversary of Expo '86, with Ben Worcester admitting he almost teared up while singing that song since it doesn't really have the same meaning or get the same reaction as their played it across the country. 
Halfway through the set they shifted into some brand new songs, talking a little about each. "Fucks To Give" -- a "mini rock opera" as Tyler Bancroft explained, about unrequited love -- was a stand out, as well as a song I didn't catch the name of dedicated to a friend they had lost. The newer songs seemed a bit heavier and denser, both in sound and thematically, which culminated with the final song of the first set. Tyler introduced "Miscarriage" opening up about his own personal experiences with the subject, with the song starting off a slower heartwrencher, that shifted to an almost prog-influenced finale. An intense song, and easily one of the best songs they played that night. 

After an intermission, they were back for set number two, the darker and synthy "Resolutions" kicking it off. This set was a much more "traditional" Said the Whale set, as they still pulled from all their albums, but this time hit more of the singles and fan favourites, with upbeat and rollicking songs like "The Light is You" and "Emerald Lake, AB". Another highlight was the emotion-dripping "Love is Art/Sleep Through Fire", a favourite of mine and, if the reaction was any indication, many others in the room as Tyler and Ben harmonized on a note they held for a preposterously long time. 
They broke out hit singles like "I Love You" and "Camilo (The Magician)" close to the end of the set before finishing off with "Goodnight Moon", another favourite, the lullaby building to a joyful ending and Tyler rocking out as hard as one can on a ukulele. 

Of course, no one believed they were really done as they came back for a few more, including one last personal favourites, "My Government Heart" as Tyler spat out the lyrics through grit teeth. And after Ben fielded an impromptu Q&A from the (probably drunk) dudes at the side of the stage, they ended with one last tearjerker, getting nearly the entire room first silent, and then singing along to "Curse of the Current" letting everyone into the spring night. 

It's been a while since I have last seen Said the Whale doing a "proper venue" show, a couple years at least, and it was great to see them on top of their game. Plus, the new music sounded strong and I look forward to hearing it recorded. 

Setlists:

David Vertesi
Soft Skin
Gentlemen Say
Loud Talker
Waterways
Say You'll Be There
^[Spice Girls cover]
Mountainside

Said The Whale
(set two)
Resolutions
Out On The Shield
On The Ropes
BC Orienteering
Narrows
The Light Is You
Emerald Lake, AB
Loveless
Love is Art/Sleep Through Fire
Black Day In December
I Could Smoke
I Love You
The Reason
Camilo (The Magician)
Goodnight Moon
(encore)
Mother
My Government Heart
Curse of the Currents

Said the Whale
(set one)
We Are 1980
Plans For The Future
Live Off Lamb
O Alexandra
Big Sky, MT
False Creek Change
Step Into The Darkness
Fucks To Give
Out Of My Skin
[new song]
[new song]
Miscarriage

Aidan Knight @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 04/29/16

It's been a while since Aidan Knight was last in Vancouver (I think the last show was in late '013 at the Rio Theatre). But hot off the release of his latest album Each Other, Aidan returned to a sold out Biltmore Cabaret. 

Laura Sauvage opened the show, taking the stage alone with her electric guitar. The solo project of Les Hay Babies member Vivianne Roy, she was charming with an effortless stage presence, as she went through songs off her latest album Extraordinormal. 
Sauvage weaved stories with her songs, occasionally telling the crowd what they were about; "Rubberskin" about an old friend who passed away and was... eaten by cats, and "You Think I'm Cruel" about a terrible first date with a guy who was maybe a little oblivious. 
It was an enjoyable set, and I would like to see her again, especially with a full band backing her. 

Thanks to the curfew, it wasn't long before Aidan Knight with his Friendly Friends took the stage. They started with "You Are Not Here", blending seamlessly into "The Arp" as the first chunk of the set focused on the new album Each Other. 
Which Aidan joked about, promising there would be something for the people who had waited since the last show. Throughout the set he chatted and joked between songs, and even had such command over the crowd that everyone (for the most part) silenced when he requested it for the quieter songs; no easy feat, especially at the Biltmore. 
The new tracks culminated with favourite off the new album, the slow-burning "What Light (Never Goes Dim)", as the band took a break and Aidan was alone to play the now-classic, joyful "Jasper" which had the entire sold out room singing along. 
After a few more older ones, including the sombre "Altar Boys" and "The Master's Call", the main set ended with "You Will See The Good in Everyone" building to a furious swell, which would have been the perfect ending...
Except for the fact that Aidan was back out alone to perform one of the most soul-shattering songs, "Margaret Downe". It is one of my favourites, and as Knight belted out the sorrow and regret, I suspect there were more than a few tearful eyes. And finally, the rest of the band returned once more for another old favourite, "Knitting Something Nice", one again culminating in a blistering ending, leaving the crowd satisfied???

As I've seen Aidan Knight perform over the years, his shows have become more and more rich and layered, as his music as grown in scope. This has probably been the best I've seen him perform, and I hope it's not another couple years before he is back. 

setlist
You Are Not Here
The Arp
Each Other
All Clear
The Funeral Singers
What Light (Never Goes Dim)
Jasper
Untitled
The Master's Call
Altar Boys
A Mirror
You Will See The Good In Everyone
(encore)
Margaret Downe
Knitting Something Nice For You

Jason Collett @ Fox Cabaret -- 04/26/16

I want to tell a quick story about the first time I saw Jason Collett play live. It was at Richard's on Richards in 2008, and for some reason it was not widely known that it was an early show. Thanks to that, there were very few people there for the first of three bands -- I want to say maybe a dozen people, if that. That opening band was also Jason's backing band at the time, so part way through his own set he paused to let them play a song of their own songs, for the people that were not there earlier. Simply because he wanted more people to hear them.
And then, just over a month later he was back for another show. This time at the more intimate Media Club, also with the same opener/backing band. He mentioned on stage that he was back so soon specifically because he heard people missed his show altogether, thanks to the miscommunication. 
I've always remembered that not only because it was a cool thing to do for his friends playing with him and opening the show, but a cool thing to do for the fans that didn't even get to see him.

I tell this story because the band in question was Zeus, who was also Jason's backing band this night, at the Fox Cabaret. It had been a few years since I last saw Jason Collett play live (coincidentally, it was the Bonfire Ball with Zeus and Bahamas) so I was excited to see him once more, especially with four of the five members of Zeus backing him; Carlin Nicholson, Mike O'Brien, Neil Quin, and Jason Haberman. The band lent their amazing guitars and perfect harmonies to Collett's heartfelt songs, for a great combo. 

Jason started the set off with "Pavement Puddle Stars" going all the way back to '05's Idols of Exile, transitioning seamlessly into the cheeky "High Summer" and then one of my absolute favourites of his, the unbridled "I'll Bring The Sun".
Collett was on and off guitar throughout the night, putting the "dance" part in the new album's title Song And Dance Man (or attempting to, as he joked) and casually bantered to the crowd between songs, even expertly shrugging off a... let's call it an "aggressive request" from the crowd.
Songs ranged from the sombre "We All Lose One Another" -- a song about death which he prefaced with a story about Prince -- to the upbeat twang of "Love You Babe", with highlights including the pairing of the classics "Fire" and "Hangover Days", and the hip-swaying groove of "Love Is A Dirty Word" which ended the main set. 
For the encore, Collett came back out on stage first, starting the melancholy (and timely) "Almost Summer" while the band slowly joined in, and ending off with a nice cover of Hall & Oates' "She's Gone".

I'm always happy when a great songwriter and excellent lyricist can translate their songs into an engaging live show. And while Collett is more than capable of doing that himself, the addition of members of one of the country's best live bands (Zeus) as his backing band was definitely a plus. 

setlist
Pavement Puddle Stars
High Summer
I'll Bring The Sun
Provincial Blues
I Wanna Rob A Bank
Through the Night These Days
Fire
Hangover Days
Singing American
We All Lose One Another
Black Oak Savanna
Song and Dance Man
Love You Babe
Where Does Your Love Go?
My Daddy Was A Rock'n'Roller
Dirty Old Town
Lake Superior
Love is a Dirty Word.
(encore)
Almost Summer
She's Gone [Hall & Oates cover]

Bend Sinister @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 04/22/16

Almost exactly ten years ago, in March of ought-six, a young Kirk who was just starting to get more into the local Vancouver music scene made his way to Red Room to check out Victoria band Hot Hot Heat on a bit of a whim. But what really stuck out that night was one of* the opening bands, Bend Sinister. I really liked the set, but kind of forgot about them until about a year/year and a half later when I heard them pop up on CBC Radio 3, and found their self-titled EP. Since then, they have remained one of my favourite -- not just local, but Canadian -- bands, particularly live. So I sure wasn't going to miss their first proper show in a while, at the Biltmore Cabaret this weekend. 

Especially since opening this night was Calgary band Boreal Sons, who I had been meaning to catch live for some time now. (Dante Hadden was the other opening act, but unfortunately I missed his set). 
I arrived as the three piece was starting their set, their piano-driven art-rock filling the room with songs like the simmering "Refrain" and the sweeping "Quietly Awake" from their latest album Threadbare. Along with that they teased some new tracks, and even pulled out a cool cover of Feist's "The Bad In Each Other", keeping the original's hurt emotions, and adding their own spin musically. 
Lead singer and keys player Evan Acheson chatted with the crowd between songs, expressing excitement about their upcoming tour -- their first in a while -- and asking for questions or comments (joking he never actually got any when asking that). 
They ended off with "Sparks", probably my favourite of the set, their harmonies building to a strong finish, and I am glad I finally got the chance to see them. 

With a quick turnaround, thanks to the early show schedule, Bend Sinister hit the stage soon after, the familiar faces of Dan Moxon on vocals & keys, with Joseph Blood on guitar, Matt Rhode on bass, Dicky Neptune on drums, and Kristy-Lee Audette on trumpet, synth, and tambourine. I think this was my first time seeing the band with Kristy-Lee as a full time member -- previously she had just joined for a song or two on trumpet -- and she was a great addition. 

They started the set off with a couple new tunes, cranking up the energy and barely let up for a little over an hour, with a great flow of songs. Early on, the bouncy groove of "Fancy Pants" got people moving, and the roaring "I Got Love" showed just how much band can rock. I've always said said Dan Moxon is a monster on the keys, and the rest of the band can absolutely keep up with his energy. 
Other highlights included perennial favourite, the uplifting "Things Will Get Better", and a deep cut from Stories Of Brothers, Tales of Lovers, "Dr. Lee" with Dan dedicating it to the fans that have been with them for a while. They also previewed more new material, from the album they're working on. One called "Foolish Games" which saw JP Maurice joining them on cowbell, and another called "Gang of Wolves" which absolutely blew me away, and I can't wait to hear it recorded. 

They drew the main set to a close with the Moxon's powerful voice soaring over eight-minute winding epic "Best Of You", but of course were back out for more, pushing right up against the curfew before the Friday night DJ dance party started. First they went back to that aforementioned self-titled EP for a song that is still one of my favourites, the explosive "Time Breaks Down", and then a very appropriate new song extolling the virtues of rock 'n' roll, as Dan slyly yelled "Fuck the DJs!" off the top, culminating with friends joining them on stage for a anthemic powerhouse of a closer. 

The show proved why, after all these years, I still love seeing the band live, and I am really excited to hear what new music they have for us coming up. 

*Fun fact footnote: the other opening band was You Say Party.