Sunset Rubdown @ Rickshaw Theatre -- May 15, 2023

This show has been a long time coming. Not just because the last time Sunset Rubdown played a show in Vancouver was in 2009 (when Richard's on Richards still existed) but since the reunion show was announced, it's gone through two venue upgrades (from the Fox to the Biltmore to the Rickshaw) and one postponement (when the band got stuck at the ferry terminal on Vancouver Island). But the wait was worth it as the long dormant group returned to Vancouver to kick off the second leg of their comeback tour.

Opening the show was Nicholas Merz, whose set I caught the last half of. Alone on stage wearing double denim and a cowboy hat, Merz was behind a modified pedal steel creating loops for a bit of an avant-garde country sound, punctuated by his deep, crooning vocals. He would show off his voice even more when, a couple times at the end of a song, he strode up to the front of the stage with a bit of a soft-shoe to belt out some stark lyrics — once just himself, unaccompanied by the loops he created.
His set was either one of the most earnest performances I've ever seen, or -- and I can't quite put my finger on what makes me think this -- a very elaborate performance art piece. Either way, it was a very entertaining.

Then after a bit of a break, it was time for Sunset Rubdown as Michael Doerksen, Camilla Wynne, Jordan Robson-Cramer, and Spencer Krug hit the stage. Right off the bat, Krug apologised for the circumstances of the last show, and was incredibly grateful for the sold out crowd on an unseasonably hot Monday night. He joked that was the last they’d be speaking for a while and launched into “Snake's Got A Leg” from the groups debut album to kick off the set.

From there they ran through a selection from all four records, from “The Empty Threats of a Little Lord” to the relatively fragile “Silver Moons”, with other highlights including “Us Ones In Between”, building to an intense finish with Krug's distinctive vocals filling the theatre, and the dark and haunting “Winged/Wicked Things” sending chills through the (warm) room.

Between the familiar songs, the band teased some new material. The first time, Krug clarified it was just an old one that was never recorded, but later a new song was introduced with no such caveats. As far as I know, the band has been coy about any future plans, but fingers crossed.

Part way through the set, Nicholas Merz joined the others on stage on bass, though along with Michael and Jordan, the three of them swapped around on bass, guitar, and drums a little. And while he was behind the keys for most of the night, at once point Krug pulled out his guitar for a few songs, including “You Go on Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)” and probably my favourites of theirs, the barely-controlled chaos of “Idiot Heart”.

After a big intense jam to finish “The Men Are Called Horsemen There”, they brought the set to a close with the frenetic “The Mending of the Gown”, making the crowd work a little for the encore. But of course they were back, with just one more song, pouring all their remaining energy into the epic, winding, ten minute long “Dragon's Lair”, to cap off the nearly two hour set.

Since the breakup of Sunset Rubdown, I've seen Krug perform a number of other times; as Moonface, his collab with Siinai, solo piano shows, and even a Wolf Parade set. But as this show drew closer I started to worry that I was building the renion up too much in my head. Turns out that was for nothing, as the show more than met my expectations. The band hasn’t lost a single step, as tight as ever. Even at two hours, the show felt too fleeting, and I really hope we get to hear more from them in the future.

setlist
Snake's Got A Leg
The Taming Of The Hands That Came Back To Life
Silver Moons
Us Ones In Between
Shut Up I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings
Winged/Wicked Things
Stadiums And Shrines
You Go on Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
Coming To At Dawn
Idiot Heart
The Empty Threats of Little Lord
We're Losing Light
The Men Are Called Horsemen There
The Mending of the Gown
(encore)
Dragon's Lair

Said the Whale with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra @ Orpheum -- April 19, 2023

My favourite genre of live show is, quite possibly, “rock band plays with string section”. And ever since the release of their last album, Dandelion -- which featured some orchestral strings -- Said the Whale has been hinting & teasing at something more. So when it was announced that the Vancouver band was going to be performing at the Orpheum alongside the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, I knew there was no way I could miss it.

Under the baton of conductor David Bui, the show began with the Overture, giving us hints of what was to come, before Said the Whale took the stage going right into “Honey Lungs”. The trio of Ben Worcester (who was just providing vocals for the evening), Tyler Bancroft (on guitar and vocals) and Jaycelyn Brown (backing vocals and sitting at a grand piano in lieu of her usual keyboard) were joined by the 62-piece orchestra.

From there they ran through a 19-song set that spanned most of their career, from softer fare like “Show Me Everything” to heavier songs like “I Love You”, the orchestra amplified everything. “The Ocean” swelled, “Level Best” was never more heartfelt, and the orchestra rocked out to “Cascadia”.

Some of my favourites of the night included the haunting “Step Into the Darkness”, and an absolutely gorgeous version of “Dandelion”, which capped off the first half of the show before intermission -- Tyler half-joking that it was something more rock shows needed to incorporate.

After seeing more than half of Vancouver's music scene in the lobby milling about, the second half kicked off hard with “Wake Up” and “Love Always”, another favourite of the evening, the orchestra just taking the already intense song to an entirely new level.

Throughout the show, the crowd was entirely engaged, nearly dead silent until the last note of a song finished, then bursting into applause. It was perhaps the only time I've seen Said the Whale headline a show where people were NOT singing along with “Camilo (The Magician)”. And you could tell the band was just as excited to be there as the crowd was, visible thrilled to be performing like this; during one song that didn't feature his vocals, Ben just sat at the front of the stage, watching the orchestra, soaking it all in.

The main set came to a close with “Big Wave Goodbye”, but of course, there was an encore soon after. First Jaycelyn came out alone to play “February 15”, written for her husband. The last time I saw them perform live, this song was accompanied by a string quartet, so I was really anticipating seeing it with a full orchestra, and the breathtaking piano-driven instrumental did not disappoint. It was absolutely the highlight of the night, leaving few dry eyes in the house and receiving a standing ovation.
Next Ben joined the stage -- joking that was not going to be easy to follow up -- going into the beautiful “O Alexandra”, and finally Tyler returning to close out the night with “99 to the Moon”, another perfect compliment of strings, sending the song soaring.

I’ve always been interested in seeing the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra play, especially when they do special “pop culture” events, but never taken the opportunity to do so. I am glad I finally have, especially for a once-in-a-lifetime event like this. At the end of the show, Said the Whale brought up Alex Clark from the VSO, whose goal it was to bring more contemporary art to the VSO, so I can only hope they can do pairings like this more often. Said the Whale’s music lent itself perfectly to an orchestral accompaniment, and my mind is already racing with what other Vancouver bands deserve the same treatment.

But even without potential future collaborations, a quick look at the calendar of upcoming shows features a live orchestra score for films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Black Panther, & more, as well as special nights dedicated to Looney Tunes and video game music. After this, I’m thinking I definitely have to pull the trigger on nights like that more often.

setlist
Overture
Honey Lungs
The Ocean
Moonlight
Everything She Touches is Gold to Me
Return to Me
Show Me Everything
Level Best
Step Into the Darkness
Dandelion
[Intermission]
Wake Up
Love Always
Cascadia
I Love You
Sweetheart
Camilo (The Magician)
Big Wave Goodbye
[encore]
February 15
O Alexandra
99 to the Moon

Haley Blais (and friends) @ The Wise Hall -- April 14, 2023

Ever since Haley Blais released her debut album Below the Salt a few years ago, I've been wanting to catch her live, but aside from a pandemic-era livestream from the Fox and a quick set at Constellation last year, I hadn't really got the chance. So I was happy to fix that this past Friday, with a show at the Wise Hall. It was a rare seated show for that venue, but during her set Blas quipped “I refuse to believe we can enjoy anything standing up” and I can't disagree with that.

Unfortunately I ran late and missed the opener, Troll Dolly, arriving shortly before Haley Blais took the stage with her backing band, comprised of a few familiar faces; Sam Lynch, Lindsay Sjoberg, Graham Serl, and Alex Maunders.

They started off the set with the chilled out “Rob the Original”, and weaved into a few more from her current catalogue, including “Survivor's Guilt” -- with the first guest of the evening, star of the video Jake Pascoe coming out to dance & accompany on the vibraslap -- and “Firestarter”, my favourite from her debut album, a song that starts slow and soft, building to a crescendo with Blais' voice sending chills and giving goosebumps.
Throughout the night we were also teased with a number of new songs from an upcoming album, like the groovy “Matchmaker” and “Cabin”, a more rocking number that once again showed off Haley's vocal range.

Leading up to the show, Blais had promised ‘special guests’, and delivered when she ceded the mic to her friends and peers, to put the spotlight on them. Mid-way through, Lindsey took centre stage with other members of Babe Corner out for the title track off their recently released album Crybaby; Maunders played a track from his solo project; and Dan Mangan surprised everyone with “Just Know It”, all backed by Blais on vocals.
Then near the end of the set, Blais brought out Jonathan Anderson and David Vertesi to play on one of her new songs “Reset Button”, before Vertesi went into into one of his songs, “My Parents House”, and finally Sam Lynch performed a beautiful new song that I didn't catch the name of.

After a good hour and a half, they brought the set to a big finish with a singalong to “Coolest Fucking Bitch in Town”, Blais conducting the crowd to chant the lyrics as the song wrapped up. But the sold out hall wanted one more song, and Haley indulged, coming out alone to start an older track “Small Foreign Faction”, before the rest of the band joined her and everyone let loose to cap off the night.

Leading up to the show, I had no idea who or what the “and friends” would entail, so the format of the show was a very pleasant surprise, and made for one of the most unique and collaborative shows I've seen in some time. It's rare that you see someone use almost a third of their set to let others shine, and the talent on the stage had the sold out hall rapt all evening. The crowd was (mostly) silent in all the right places, hanging on everyone — especially Haley Blais' — every note.

setlist
Rob the Original
Survivor's Guilt
Matchmaker
Be Your Own Muse
Firestarter
Crybaby (Babe Corner)
This Time (Maunders)
Just Know It (Dan Mangan)
[New song?]
Body
Reset Button
My Parents House (David Vertesi)
[New Song] (Sam Lynch)
Cabin
Coolest Fucking Bitch in Town
[encore]
Small Foreign Faction

Miesha & the Spanks @ The Lido -- April 13, 2023

The only thing better than a band playing a release show in Vancouver on the eve of their new album dropping... is playing that show in a venue two blocks away from me! It’s always nice to stroll down the street for a show at The Lido, especially for someone like Miesha & the Spanks celebrating their new release, Unconditional Love In Hi​-​Fi, which is out today.

First up was a new Vancouver band, WAIT//LESS with a couple familiar faces (members of FRANKIIE and Little Destroyer). Starting hard & fast, their punk sound didn’t let up throughout the entire set, brimming with energy. Especially from the lead singer, who hardly stood still for a moment, dancing, swinging the mic, and even hopping off stage and wading through to the back of the crowd a couple times.
I was shocked to later find out it was only their second show together, and will definitely have to keep an ear out for them in the future.

Soon after, it was time for Calgary's Miesha & the Spanks, the duo of Miesha Louie on vocals & guitars, and drummer Sean Hamilton (no relation) who also chipped in on backing vocals.

They kept up the energy that started the evening, with Miesha shredding on guitar with her gritty vocals, while Hamilton wailed away on the drums. They kicked off the set with “Lost Boys” before going into some songs from the new album Unconditional Love In Hi​-​Fi. Highlights included “So Mad”, appropriately named for the song's vitriol; the incredible summer jam of “I Can't Wait”; and my early favourite from the album, “Bully”, biting back at online jerks.

The pair also threw in some older songs like the personal “Mixed Blood Girls” and the chaotic “First Love, First Blood” before wrapped up with the catchy “Mom Jeans // Mom Genes”, forgoing the encore cliché (not that there was much room for them to leave the stage at The Lido).

The evening was an excellent pairing of bands — my ears may still be ringing a little — and I am looking forward to seeing either again, hopefully sooner than later.

setlist
Lost Boy
Dig Me Out
Heart Is On Fire
I Can't Wait
So Mad
Bully
Mixed Blood Girls
It's My Year
First Love, First Blood
I Want Fire
Mom Jeans // Mom Genes

July Talk @ Commodore -- March 29, 2023

Ten years ago (almost to the day!) was the first time I saw July Talk live, on stage at the Commodore, opening for Matt Mays. I was instantly won over by the band and have been a fan ever since. Flash forward to now, and the Toronto group returning to the legendary Commodore Ballroom, for the first of two Vancouver shows in support of their brand new album, Remember Never Before.

First up was Oshawa duo Crown Lands. I got there a song or two into their set, immediately struck by the hard rock licks and power vocals, much stronger than you would expect from a two-piece. Their songs were punctuated by extended instrumentals, as guitarist/keyboardist Kevin Comeau ripped some solos on his double guitar — and even breaking out a double acoustic for a couple songs. Highlights included their latest single, “Lady of the Lake”, and a song I believe was called “End of the Road” which was about the Highway of Tears and dedicated to Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Two Spirit individuals.

They also looked the part perfectly, both clad in black, but especially singer & drummer Cody Bowles, who came to the front of the stage for a song showing off their sparkles, fringe, and half-cape, looking the picture of a glam rocker.
The pair definitely did a great job of setting the stage for what was to come.

Not long after that, July Talk hit the stage, comprised of guitarist Ian Docherty, bassist Josh Warburton, drummers Danny Miles & Dani Nash, and of course, singers Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay.

Starting off hot with the first song off the new album, “After This”, the band burned through an hour and a half, touching their whole catalogue as the set ebbed and flowed. They built with a barely-contained restraint on songs like “Human Side”, crashing with the cacophonous “Johnny + Mary”, then pulled back to the simmering intensity of “Repeat”, drawing the crowd in with every song.
Other highlights included the frenetic “Summer Dress”, “Picturing Love” and “Certain Father”, my favourite off the new album — even if Spencer Krug wasn’t in town to provide his collaborative vocals.

The energy flowed off each band member, especially Leah and Peter, who playfully bounced off each other; both vocally, their ‘sweet + sour’ voices contrasting & complimenting, but also physically. They barely stood still for a moment, with Leah stalking the stage, and Peter even leaping into the crowd to surf while playing guitar, for the raucous “Guns + Ammunition” as the crowd sang along.

The main set came to a close with the final song off the album, “I am Water”, followed by the haunting “Push + Pull”. But as the crowd chanted for “one more song”, Peter took the stage alone, singing the intro to “Raw” with no accompaniment before the band joined him. And finally, they finished off the night with one of my faves, the sexually charged “Lola + Joseph” and one last big singalong to “The Garden”, an explosive song from their first album.

Since that first time opening for Mays, I’ve been able to see July Talk about a half dozen times, in venues, outdoor festivals, and even an arena show. And every time, they put on an incredible, exciting live show that will leave you spend. They’ll be back at the Commodore tonight (March 30) for a second, sold out show… but hopefully they’ll be back again soon.

setlist
After This
Now I Know
Human Side
Certain Father
Pay For It
Beck + Call
Picturing Love
Good Enough
Identical Love
Guns + Ammunition
Johnny + Mary
Repeat
Summer Dress
G-d Mother Fire
When You Stop
I Am Water
Push + Pull
(encore)
Raw
Lola + Joseph
The Garden