Live Band Rankings 2018!

Alt J, earlier this summer

This is it kids, the moment you’ve all been eagerly awaiting… or more likely, haven’t thought about in 12 months and are now bored during your Christmas break so you think “what the hell, I’ll read this!”

My year in live bands! It was another great year. Some first time bands for me, and some old favourites. The perfect mix if you ask me!

Overall, this year was an amazing year for seeing female performers. It’s always so incredible to see women leading the charge in music, and showing that gender doesn’t need to dictate popularity. I always think how awesome it must be for young girls to have so many great role models these days! So yeah, GIRL POWER!

SO…. is there another repeat winner this year, or did a newcomer sneak in?? Let’s find out!

30. Lights (Dundas Square, June 16th 2018)

Someone has to be last, and this year it’s Lights… Not really much to add here except I don’t like Lights. Sorry Lights.

29. The Barr Brothers (Field Trip, June 2nd 2018)

After Lights, The Barr Brothers were probably the least memorable group I saw this year, and didn’t leave much of an impression. They just didn’t do it for me, and they should’ve! They played during a beautiful afternoon in the sunshine, while Sean & I enjoyed some beers. That should be a slam dunk for me to enjoy any concert. But I felt bored, and the lead singer wasn’t having a great day, so they just didn’t connect for me.

28. Damian Marley (Field Trip, June 2nd 2018)

It feels wrong to be putting a Marley so low on the rankings, and it was incredible to hear him sing some of his father’s work. So there’s really nothing negative to say here, except that he just got beat out by some of my more favourite acts.

27. Alvvays (Field Trip, June 2nd 2018)

I feel like every year I put a beloved Canadian indie rock band in my bottom half, and it generally ruffles some feathers amongst some of my more hipster-inclined friends. But I am quite vocal about how much I generally do not enjoy Alvvays. I find them overplayed on Canadian radio, and it’s ruined the band for me. BUT… they did put on a great set at Field Trip, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed them. Molly Rankin’s voice was in great form and left a great impression on me.

26. Trombone Shorty (Field Trip, June 3rd 2018)

SO MUCH FUN! They were the first group we saw on the Sunday of Field Trip and it immediately got me dancing and my energy levels up. Their covers are fantastic, and I’d 100% go see them again.

25. Reuben and the Dark (Field Trip, June 2nd 2018)

One of the first bands we saw at Field Trip this year and they were great! It was the perfect setting for them – sitting out in the sun, beer in hand. Definitely a band that left a mark on us, and we’d want to check out again. Can’t beat some catchy rock tunes on a summer day.

24. Rural Alberta Advantage (CBC Music Festival, May 26th 2018)

This really speaks to how GOOD this year was, because RAA have been a top finisher before. However, I’d say what went against them this year is only that I saw such a short set from them at CBC Music Fest, and it didn’t quite stack up to the other performances I have seen by them. But that being said, they are always energetic, engaging and so much fun to rock out too. It also helped that I did so this year while drinking a beer they created with Mill St! Hopefully I can catch them again soon at a longer, more intimate show.

23. Coeur de Pirate (Danforth Music Hall, September 20th 2018)

I basically dragged myself to this show, as it was the same day as the TSN ball hockey tournament. I was exhausted, but am so glad I went. Beatrice Martin has an incredible voice that could melt butter – in two languages! She effortlessly slides between English and French, and her voice is so amazing that it doesn’t even matter whether or not you understand her lyrics. She had great energy, and charming interactions with the crowd. It’s also always special to see someone who you can tell feels incredibly grateful for the life they have, getting to sing their songs to fans. She was genuine, and even cried at the end as she took her final bows.

22. Japandroids (Field Trip, June 3rd 2018)

I’ve waited SO LONG to see these guys. I was first introduced to them in 2012 while riding a bus across Canada as part of TSN’s Kraft Celebration Tour, so this band holds a lot of memories for me. I had heard stories about how intense these guys are – and they certainly live up to that legend. I loved that only two guys on stage can create such a loud, intense, and engaging performance. It became an even more punk rock experience when it started raining during their set. The perfect way to see this Vancouver duo!

21. Middle Kids (Field Trip, June 2nd 2018)

It seems every year that I go to Field Trip I discover a new favourite band. This year, that honour went to Middle Kids. A fun rock band from Australia, their energetic, infectious indie rock has stuck with me all year. We’ve even got some friends hooked on them too. Their performance was fun, they interacted well with the crowd, and I was left feeling like they deserved to be playing on the big stage at the fest rather than the smaller one. Hope they come back to TO soon!

20. Northern Touch All Stars (CBC Music Fest. May 26th 2018)

HOLY CRAP. EVERYONE was there for this reunion show and they each played some of their hit songs. Choclair busted out “Let’s Ride”, Racals did “All Over the World”, Kardinal of course did “Dangerous” and they ended the afternoon with “Northern Touch” which was SO EPIC. 90s Tesla was having a BLAST.

19. Maggie Rogers (Scotiabank Arena, December 17th 2018)

I didn’t watch a lot of opening acts this year, but Sean & I made a point to see Maggie Rogers, who was opening for Mumford & Sons. A friend of our had mentioned her to me, and then we had watched her set on SNL a few months prior. So we were curious! And she was great! I always feel bad for openers because the sound isn’t necessarily set for them, and in a setting like an arena it’s always touch to play to a half empty venue. But Maggie sounded great, putting in a wonderful vocal performance. We found it was better than what we saw on SNL, and we were bummed to see her shows in TO next year are already sold out! Definitely one of the more impressive openers I’ve seen, and expect her to blow up anytime soon.

18. Dear Rouge (Danforth Music Hall, October 18th 2018)

One of my fave bands, I’ve already seen these guys a half dozen times in the short time period they’ve been around. I always find Danielle McTaggart a charismatic front-woman, with enough energy to power a small town. I thought the crowd seemed a little distant with the band, so it kind of took away from the performance a little bit. But this wasn’t the fault of the band – they played a great setlist and really tried to keep everyone engaged. Hopefully next time we catch them, the crowd will remember to pack their dancing shoes.

17. Leon Bridges (RBC Echo Beach, September 27th 2018)

What a voice. Leon could sing the phone book and it would sound soulful. Sarah & I loved his dance moves, his banter with the crowd, and I thought his voice sounded perfect. The biggest knock on this show, unfortunately like Dear Rouge, was the crowd. WOW. I have never been surrounded by so many smokers at a single concert in my entire life. But, we tried to ignore it and enjoy the show. The best part of the night for me was that some songs of his new album that I don’t really enjoy sounded much better live. I always love when a live performance can completely alter how you feel about a song. Can’t wait to see what this young man has next up his dancing sleeve.

16. Beck (Budweiser Stage, July 7th 2018)

SO… I struggled the most with where to rank this show. And it’s because of the sound quality. This show was too loud. It sounded like a lot of the show was coming through a busted speaker, and it was incredibly disappointing because I think otherwise this would have been a top 5 show of the year for me. The setlist was fantastic – I loved hearing so many of his hits. He also clearly has a great relationship with his backing band, and it genuinely looked like everyone was having fun on stage. But yeah, the sound just took a lot away from the experience. Next time I guess!

15. Portugal. The Man (Budwesier Stage, May 24th 2018)

I am definitely not one of those people that thinks PTM “sold out”. In fact, I love their last album and it has become one of my go-to albums when I need an energy boost, or want to put myself in a good mood. Their show at The Amp didn’t let me down and was a great way to kick off my summer in concerts. They had a cool video display behind them, which at times had some cheeky jokes at the band’s expense, which is always fun. I also loved that they played lot of songs from their album before last – Evil Friends.

14. Interpol (REBEL, September 13th 2018)

Ugh. I hate REBEL as a concert venue. However… Interpol are a good enough band that they make you forget that fact! This was a great show start to finish, with a bad-ass light show to go with it. That’s one of the best parts about seeing Interpol – is it feels like you are not only being given a great musical performance but a visual story as well. My only complaint was that they didn’t sing “Slow Hands”. But that is a minor one! Everything else was excellent – band sounded great, looked good and the crowd had a good time too.

13. George Ezra (The Phoenix, April 20th 2018)

This was such a fun night out with my girlfriends and George put on a stellar show. He bantered adorably with the crowd, bashfully telling us most of the backstories of his songs. His voice sounded excellent as well. Again, another humble performer who genuinely seems grateful for his fans. His latest album is a great listen and it was a pleasure getting to hear it live.

12. Broken Social Scene (Budweiser Stage, May 24th 2018)

It’s a good year for me in live concerts if I get to see BSS. They routinely make this list, but usually in the Top 10. They JUUUUUUST get edged out this year. It was another solid set from them, but not one of my favourites from the collective overall. For example, one miss in the setlist I thought was having Ariel & Amy sing “Hug of Thunder”, which is a Feist song. Amy & Ariel are incredibly talented singers, but that song just doesn’t do their vocal range justice. But, they did leave me with one of my favourite memories from ANY BSS show, and that’s closing out the night with fireworks alongside the song “Meet Me in the Basement”. Just perfect.

11. CHVRCHES (Dundas Square, June 16th 2018)

CHVRCHES are another one of my go-to bands when I need an energy pick-me-up or just want to dance. Their high energy synth-pop-rock-whatever blend never lets me down. I was so heartbroken to miss their show at the Danforth Music Hall earlier this year, so when they announced a free show as part of NXNE, I was PUMPED. I thought the show overall was great, with the band sounding good and my fave front-woman/person I want to be friends with Lauren Mayberry had her voice in fine form. My only complaint is that they stuck mainly to their hits and didn’t play much from the new album. BUT… I suppose that’s what happens when you’re playing outdoors for free, and likely trying to win new fans. I would say that alone is what keeps them from top 10 because otherwise this show likely would’ve been one of my faves.

10. First Aid Kit (Danforth Music Hall, February 5th 2018)

MC and I spent a cold February night getting cozy with this incredibly talented sister duo from Sweden. Their harmonies are unreal, and also had a wonderful banter with the crowd. Their backing band was excellent, and together they kept the energy going all night. I can’t recommend these young ladies enough.

9. Stars (Danforth Music Hall, December 12th 2018)

This show by Stars had to be one of my favourites I’ve seen of theirs. I really love their last album “There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light” so it was fantastic to hear it live. Amy & Torquil put on quite a vocal performance, with the band clearly having a great time. They mixed in the perfect blend of old and new songs, and finished off the night with “Fairytale of New York” to put us all in the Christmas spirit! Fantastic way to spend a December night.

8. Mumford & Sons (Scotiabank Arena, December 17th 2018)

My last concert of 2018 so of course it was a treat to spend it with one of my favourite live bands. They’re testing out a new stage set up, where they’re essentially playing in the round. I am still undecided on how I feel about that. At times it felt like I was disengaged from the show, but at the same time it was fun to get a glimpse of what the other band members were up to, and not just Marcus. Overall I thought the setlist itself was great, except I thought “Little Lion Man” was too early, and the band hadn’t quite kicked into full gear when they played it. It’s also so interesting to see them working in their newer material in with the older. I think this band is going to continue to change a lot, so their shows are going to really become an interesting balance. But anytime I get to sing along to “I Will Wait” is a good night in my books.

7. The Killers (Scotiabank Arena, January 5th 2018)

The show that kicked the year off! Not easy to be the first one out of the gate, but The Killers set the bar high. Their latest album is fantastic, and the high-energy songs really kept the crowd going. We also appreciated that their setlist included some deep cuts like For Reasons Unknown (complete with a fan joining them onstage), and This River is Wild. Brandon Flowers’ vocals were in top form, complete with his charming Elvis persona onstage. They also had one of my favourite stage set-ups of the year, with a lot of nods to their Vegas roots. They are really coming into their own as an arena rock band.

6. St. Lucia (Danforth Music Hall, November 9th 2018)

SO. MUCH. FUN. I could really just type that for St. Lucia and leave it there. The best way to spend a Friday night is dancing away to this band. High energy, infectious synth, and great musicianship. This band never disappoints, and one day deserves to be headlining arena tours, getting thousands of people on their feet. But until that day happens, I’ll be more than happy to rock out to them in smaller venues.

5. Alt J (RBC Echo Beach, June 20th 2018)

With the Massey Hall show from last year still so fresh in my memory, I thought I wouldn’t enjoy this summer show as much, but I was wrong. Once again, another incredible live show – everything from vocals to the light show. And then throw in a beautiful summer sunset, and you really can’t beat that.

4. Metric (Field Trip, June 2nd 2018)

Metric played their album “Fantasties” front to back for this show, and aside from the tall drunk guy who tried to get in my way (I won), it was incredible hearing so many deep cuts live. Emily Haines is pound for pound one of the best lead singers around and can capture a crowd. My only complaint is I wish the encore had been longer! Every Metric show always leaves me wanting more, and this was no exception.

3. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s (Field Trip, June 3rd 2018)

Continuing the trend of bad-ass female lead singers, getting to finally see Karen O in the flesh was IMPRESSIVE. She is such an entertaining performer, and puts everything into her shows. The band sounded great, and their setlist was a perfect balance of old and new. I loved hearing some of my faves like “Zero” and “Maps” performed live. Start to finish, everything about the show was spotless. To me, it’s always great when a band doesn’t shy away from the songs that have made them famous. I’m so glad I finally crossed them off my live bucket list.

2. Florence & The Machine (Scotiabank Arena, October 16, 2018)

We’ve got ourselves a new champion folks, as previous #1 winner Florence is just edged out by my next pick. But that’s not to say Florence didn’t knock this out of the park. Her voice is just so powerful and incredible. I don’t think you can truly appreciate just how talented Florence Welch is until you hear her live. Standout moments from the night include when she ran into the crowd during “Delilah” barefoot (!), asking the crowd to put their phones away during “Dog Days” in order to appreciate the moment, and closing the night with “Shake It Out”. I also loved her simple stage setup, with flowing curtains and warm lighting to give everything an ethereal glow. I’ve written a couple of times about how much Florence inspires me, and how I wish to find the confidence she has on stage in my day to day life. I love her freestyle spirit, as she runs up and down the stages and dances as if no one is watching. It is a real gift to see her perform, and I am so grateful I was able to see her again this year.

1. St. Vincent (Sony Centre, July 31st 2018)

I just loved this show. Annie Clark aka St. Vincent is just such a multi-talented MACHINE. She can shred on the guitar, power out some rock vocals, but then bring the room to a standstill with a beautiful ballad. I learned my lesson, and will never buy balcony seats for her show again (I was often the only one upstairs out of a seat dancing). Her latest album “Masseduction” has been on repeat for me since it came out. Her remix of “Fast Slow Disco” is probably my favourite song of 2018. Her show did not disappoint. I say that even though she didn’t play many songs from her album before last, “St. Vincent”. But everything was just perfect – the sound quality, her voice, the band, the stage set-up, it was just a memorable night. I knew as soon as we walked out that this show was going to be by #1. Favourites from the night were “Young Lover”, “Pills”, “Digital Witness”, “New York” sung acapella, and the killer opener “Sugar Boy”. Please give St. Vincent a listen if you haven’t already. She is one talented performer.

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Marcus Mumford

That does it for another year in music! I am pretty happy with my all-female top 4, and am excited to see what 2019 brings for (I already have Metric, July Talk & Snow Patrol lined up).

As always, find your passion in life, and if it’s music, go out there and experience it live.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Live Band Rankings 2015! Part Two: 19 – 1!

Tame Impala at Massey Hall – where could they possibly rank?!

All right, this is it. The final countdown! (Sorry if that song is now stuck in your head).

Reminder – if you want to listen to any of the bands mentioned, and maybe find a new favourite artist – give my Spotify playlist a listen! It features all 40 artists! (Well… except Taylor Swift. She’s the lone hold out).

And if you missed Part One – it’s here!

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19. Future Islands (Day Three Osheaga, August 2015)

I loved these guys! They were so much fun onstage! They’re such an odd mix of a band, but their music is so melodic and catchy. I don’t care that “Seasons” was “a 2014 song”, it felt awesome listening to it on a hot summer day in August!

18. The Rural Alberta Advantage (Day Two Osheaga, August 2015)

Another Top 10 bands from last year, bumped down again due to stiff competition. But make no mistake, The RAA are one of THE best live bands in Canada. Their energy is outstanding, and they are so talented. Please check them out if you ever get the chance.

17. Stars (Danforth Music Hall, February 2014 & Day One Osheaga, July 2015)

I was lucky enough to see them twice this year – both very different shows. Their show in February was in support of their new album “No One Is Lost” (which is fantastic BTW, and one of their best in a long time). That show alone would have garnered them this position. They played with a fantastic energy and passion. The second show was their Osheaga performance where they played their album “Set Yourself on Fire” in its entirety in honour of the album’s 10 year anniversary. In true Stars tradition, they had many guests come out to help perform. It was so awesome getting to hear non-traditional setlist songs, and of course “Your Ex Lover Is Dead” is one of the all-time greats.

Stars at the Danforth Music Hall

16. The Decemberists (Day One Osheaga, July 2015)

I’ve never really fallen in love with this band, but always appreciated them. Seeing them live took it to a whole new level. Really outstanding set, and I still have “O Valencia” stuck in my head after hearing it live!

15. The Darkness (The Phoenix, October 2015)

Yes these guys are still around, and YES they are still putting out throwback rock & roll! Sean, John, Val, and Dan all speak highly of this band live, and I’ve heard endless stories of crazy on stage antics. While I am told this show was a “toned down” affair, it was still a blast. I’ve never fist pumped so much in my life! Check out their latest album if you need a fix of modern “classic” rock.

14. Interpol (Danforth Music Hall, July 2015 & Osheaga Day Two, August 2015)

Due to the snowstorm in Buffalo last year, I ended up getting to see Interpol twice in the span of two weeks. Which could have either been a bad thing, or a good things. Thankfully – it was the latter! I may even give the slight edge to the Osheaga show, since after all I was able to let loose, danced in the rain to their set, and let out my inner festival-hipster. These guys are highly underrated, and one of the best live bands going (IMO).

13. Mumford & Sons (Butler’s Barracks, June 2015)

OK. There’s a lot of backstory behind this concert. Mainly involving the ridiculous amount of time it took us to get out of the parking lot after the show, and onto the QEW so we could drive from Niagara back to Toronto. (I got into my bed at 4am… the show ended just before 11pm…) BUT, I still loved the actual concert. I fell in love with M&S after seeing them in concert, so I knew this was going to be good. The new album is also the perfect live record – and a nice departure from their earlier work. We did still get to hear some banjo, and they played a great mix of their older songs. Just next time…. don’t play in the middle of nowhere with only one road out of town…

12. Of Monsters & Men (Day One Osheaga, July 2015)

I’m still not 100% sold on them being a festival group, as I feel they are best enjoyed in a more intimate setting. But their songs did suit the Friday night sunset quite well, and they did a great job. For me, the best part of their shows is always the harmonies, and listening to their Icelandic accents. You also can’t beat the energy of their upbeat tunes, and getting to sing along with them. I guess in the end, they were a pretty perfect summertime show.

11. Matthew Good (Hamilton Place, December 2015)

I have seen Matt Good about 10x in concert, and I can honestly say amongst that group is only one show where I felt he was “mailing it in”. And this was not one of those shows. It was a unique experience for me in that I was coming off of my LEEP procedure, and couldn’t jump around, dance, or do any of the things I like to do during shows – especially MG shows. However, he didn’t disappoint with his usual snarky banter (ranting about social media, and getting the crowd to stand up), and a great mash-up of Load Me Up & Carmelina. And anytime I get to hear “Advertising on Police Cars” live is a wonderful experience. If only he’d play “The Boy Come Home” live and then I’d be in heaven.

10. The Arkells (Day Two Osheaga, August 2015)

Speaking of Hamilton, WOW, The Arkells really blew the socks off of most performers at Osheaga this year. I’ve heard for years that these guys are incredible live, and so I was so happy to finally see it for myself. It almost makes me sad that it’s taken me this long to experience it. If you love live rock & roll, and just want to party with a bunch of your buds – this is the live band for you. Oh, and their latest album is spectacular.

9. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals (Day Two Osheaga, August 2015)

There was such a great mood leading into Ben Harper – over the horizon the rain clouds were creeping in, and led to an amazing sunset halfway through this set. He started out simple – just him, on stage with a lap steel guitar. We weren’t sure what to think. Then BAM the entire band joins him onstage and Ben Harper showed the youngins’ how it’s done. He is an incredible performer, whose passion really shines through on stage. Consider me a huge fan now.

Osheaga on Friday – Day One

8. Father John Misty (Day Three Osheaga, August 2015)

You either love this guy, or hate him. His onstage persona is quickly becoming legendary for his sass, sarcasm, and just general “give no f***s” attitude. And he didn’t disappoint. My favourite part of the set was watching grown men sit on each other’s shoulders to get a better look. He is truly the King of the Hipsters. But really, aside from the schtick – it’s his voice that earns him #8 on the list.

7. The Avett Brothers (Day One Osheaga, July 2015)

My “come out of nowhere” winner for 2015 is these guys. WOW. Their set was beyond awesome. They opened with a song that grabbed you, and kicked your ass all at the same time. Everything about their performance was stellar – the vocals, their musicianship – especially their violinist. I wasn’t a big fan of theirs going in, but they are now on my “must see” list anytime they roll into Toronto. One of those bands that really shines live and makes you see their albums in a whole new light.

6. CHVRCHES (Danforth Music Hall, October 2015)

One of my favourite albums of the year is from this group, and my celebrity BFF (in my head of course) is CHVRCHES lead singer Lauren Mayberry. They are just so.much.fun! You can’t help but dance, shake, and jump around when they’re on stage. (In fact, I even jumped onto Sean’s foot by mistake). Even though so much of their music is generated from synths, you still truly feel like you’re getting a live experience from this band, and not “karaoke”. Plus – their Scottish accents are beyond cool.

CHVRCHES at the Danforth

5. Alt-J (Day Three Osheaga, August 2015)

I still get goosebumps thinking about their set. Their music is moody, often slow, and has a lot of intricacies when you listen to it at home, so I was worried how it would come across live. But they nailed it. The sun set, the lights came on, and away they went. Plus – their drummer is 80% deaf which makes his skills live all the more impressive. It took my appreciation for this band up to a new level seeing them in person. If you have the chance to see them in a smaller venue, jump on it. You won’t be disappointed.

4. Noel Gallagher (The Sony Centre, May 2015)

I’ve been an Oasis fan since 1995. I’ve loved Noel’s music, lyrics, and voice for all of those years. And I still love his solo work. Seeing him live was truly a “bucket list” moment, and he did not let me down. I can’t complain about not hearing much Oasis, because as mentioned, I find his solo work is miles better than the last few Oasis albums. However – nothing beats singing along with an entire crowd to “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. I am amazed I didn’t cry.

The one and only, your #3 artist…

3. Sam Roberts Band (Metropolis, March 2015)

This show set the bar high for 2015 right out of the gate. For my money, anytime I have Sam Roberts tickets he automatically becomes the one to beat. His show has everything – singing along, dancing, rocking out, fist pumping, bearded men, you name it. (He even has his own beer! COME ON HE IS SO COOL). Also, this show in Montreal was a blast. The crowd was responsive, and I wasn’t alone in dancing like a maniac. He played a well balanced set list as well, hearing many old favourite alongside his fantastic new album. I could go a Sam Roberts show every year and never get bored.

2. Tame Impala (Massey Hall, May 2015)

This is how tough 2015 was for these rankings – sitting front row at Massey Hall was not enough to get you the #1 spot.  If it weren’t for the #1 artist, this would be miles and away the best show of the year. Not only was it incredible being front row at Massey Hall, but Tame Impala put on a helluva show. Kevin’s voice was perfect, the psychedelic light show set the tone, and the sound was excellent. You really couldn’t ask for more. And PS – their latest album was definitely Album of the Year for me, so go buy it. It’ll knock your socks off. And then catch them in concert next time they’re in town.

…. DRUM ROLL PLEASE…..

1. Florence + The Machine (Day One Osheaga, July 2015).

What can I say? As I’ve detailed in a previous blog post, Florence is how I wish I could be in my everyday life. On stage, she is carefree, energetic, happy, and her voice just soars above everything else. You really can’t truly appreciate her talent until you hear it live. She is a true vocalist, and I hope she takes care of those pipes so she can continue singing for decades to come. One of my heroes, and one of the people whose music always touches my soul. Thank you for a magical night Florence!

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That’s it! 2015 is a wrap for me in music!! And guess what, I’ve already started buying tickets for 2016! Get out there and enjoy live music any way you can. Just remember to pack your ear plugs.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a wonderful New Year everyone.

See you in 2016. 

Finding Myself in a Crowd

This past weekend I attended my first “big time” music festival. I’ve attended ones on a smaller scale, but this year experiencing Osheaga was unlike anything else I’d ever been to. First off, the sheer number of people was something I’d never really experienced before. It was also the thrill of getting to see so many bands, many of them new to my ears. And it was a chance to be part of something big, something “cool”.

I never considered myself a festival goer. I had a million excuses. “Too many people, I won’t see anything, the food lines will take too long, everything will be so expensive, I don’t know most of the bands”. But so much of my life has changed. For starters, and as I’ve written about here, music has become much more important to me. After a couple of breakups I began to fully embrace the indie music scene, especially here in Canada. I started looking for my own sound, my own bands to find, and everything in between. I had become lazy in finding new music prior to then. But now I constantly scour for new tunes, and news on my favourite artists. It’s given me a drive outside of work, and quite frankly, something to occupy my mind. Music is also therapeutic beyond being like a hobby.

Case in point, one of the headliners of Osheaga was Florence + The Machine. Her album “Ceremonials” came out during a key turning point in my life. I played that album endlessly. It spoke to me. It helped me get through some difficult moments and helped me move forward. I identify with so many songs on that album. And even though that album helped lift me out of some darkness, I still love that album and hold it dear to me as a sign of strength. I powered through my life like Florence Welch sings. (I know, a lame sentiment but I couldn’t help it). So now with her latest album, I was ridiculously excited to finally see her in the flesh. If I could trade places with any lead singer, it would be her. She is me onstage. She runs, twirls, dances, you name it she does it. She’s so free onstage. It was inspiring to see in person. Her persona onstage is truly how I feel when I listen to her. She inspires me to continue fighting my inner battles, and keep getting freer.

That was just day one! But the thing I realized as the weekend went on, is that I’ve come so far in my life. I have gone from the girl who complained about festivals to the girl who embraced it. I danced. I sang. I jumped around. I found exhilaration in a rainstorm during Interpol. I had so much fun. There I was, little old me in this big crowd. Sometimes I did worry. Was my outfit OK with my Converse shoes? (That was Sunday), do I look stupid wandering around on my own (Friday)? and a few other thoughts that really shouldn’t have been there. But I let them go. I didn’t let them stop me from having fun.

Too often in my life I’ve let my negative thoughts get in the way of having fun, of letting go and truly enjoying myself. This past weekend was a big leap for me. I planned for Osheaga for months. I listened to every single band on the bill. I ranked them from high to low on who I wanted to see. I talked endlessly to Sean about which bands we should see. I couldn’t wait to experience the weekend with Sean. I set a schedule. I was incredibly excited. And the weekend didn’t let me down one bit.

So now, here I am in full swing withdrawal. Thankfully, summer is far from over and there’s much more to look forward to. Aka, many more things to keep me feeling happy, healthy, and full of life. Sorry anxiety. Ain’t nobody got time for you.

Osheaga Rankings

Curious to know who I saw and who I loved? I crammed a lot of music into all three days. Here’s my day by day rankings:

DAY ONE – Friday July 31st

10. Catfish and the Bottlemen (Song you might know: “Kathleen“)
These guys weren’t bad so it’s tough to put them at the end of the list. Great energy to start the day and full of catchy rock hooks.

9. Guster (Song you might know: “Simple Machine“)
Val & John speak highly of this band, so I wandered over to the Tree Stage to check them out. Awesome set, and look forward to checking out more of their stuff.

8. Grace Potter (Song you might know: “Stars“)
Grace and her band rock. Period. She has a very classic sound to her voice. Check her out if you dig Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, and need a great sound for summer.

7. Iron & Wine with Ben Bridwell (Song you might know: “Such Great Heights“, a cover featured on the Garden State soundtrack)
Sounded awesome, and suited the summer weather perfectly. Great set.

6. George Ezra (Song you know: “Budapest” but please listen to “Blame It On Me” since it’s way better)
George Ezra is so much more than his huge hit “Budapest”. His album is one of my faves this year, and his voice was perfect. He’s also adorable and will make you swoon in the summer heat. But seriously, his album is awesome. So great to hear him live! One of my favourites of the whole weekend.

5. Stars + Friends (Song you know: “Your Ex Lover is Dead“)
They performed their 2005 album “Set Yourself on Fire” in its entirety and it was incredible. The best part of anniversary shows is getting to hear songs you never thought you’d hear live, and SYOF didn’t disappoint. Also, click the link if you don’t know the song. One of my favourite music videos and such a beautiful song.

4. The Decemberists (Song you might know “O Valencia“)
It was hard to chose between them and Stars but The Decemberists were a highlight of the weekend. I’m a casual fan of theirs, but their live act completely won me over and has left me with a burning desire to rediscover their music.

3. Of Monsters and Men (Song you know: “Crystals“)
It’s tough to put them at number three because they’re such a great live band. They are so much fun to sing along to, and dance to, so it made for a perfect Friday night.

2. The Avett Brothers (Song you might know “Morning Song“)
Both Sean’s cousin Will & I were absolutely blown away by these guys. They came out swinging to their song “Satan Pulls The Strings” and didn’t let up. Their violinist basically did her own version of a mic drop with her insane talent. They were my shock of the weekend. Truly a convert.

1. Florence + The Machine (Song I want to you to know: “Queen of Peace” from their latest album)
I think I said it all already.

DAY TWO – Saturday August 1

9. Milky Chance (Song everyone loves, but I hate: “Stolen Dance“)
I can’t stand that song above (I know I am in the minority on this, and was clearly the only person at Osheaga that hates this song), and their live set didn’t do anything to change that. I found every beat in their songs the same. Ugh.

8. Young the Giant (Song You Know: “My Body“)
They’re an odd band. Their non-single songs don’t really sound like the songs that were overplayed a couple years in a row. They’re not a bad live band, I think they just need to figure themselves out a little, and it really showed this weekend.

7. Weezer (Everyone knows their singles.)
Weezer aren’t bad, but they aren’t AMAZING either. But they are a lot of fun to see live since their catalogue spans such a long time period, that you inevitably end up travelling through time and memories. Plus, it’s fun to sing along.

6. St. Vincent (Song you know: “Digital Witness“)
Sean walked away with a small crush on St. Vincent. I walked away really impressed with her, and willing to give her album another shot. So win/win?

5. The Rural Alberta Advantage (Song you might know: “Terrified“)
God I love this band live. Please check them out if you ever get the chance. So much passion and energy from three people. And I guarantee you will forget it’s only an acoustic guitar onstage.

4. Interpol (Song you might know: “Slow Hands“)
Even though I had just seen these guys about a week before Osheaga, I still found them to be one of my faves from the weekend. It also doesn’t hurt that it poured rain during their set, enabling me to dance like a maniac in the mud and rock out.

3. Kendrick Lamar (Song every white girl at Osheaga seemed to know: “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe“)
I have famously ranted about disliking rappers in person because their concerts are generally the performer rapping over piped in music. But Kendrick Lamar was a lot more than that, and even this hipster white girl was entertained.

2. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals (Song you should know: “Ground on Down” live version)
Sean convinced me to stay and see Ben Harper over some other bands, and I am so glad we stayed. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals delivered a fantastic performance, one of the best of Osheaga. Not only is Harper an incredible talent, but his entire band performed at a top level. It was also great to hear some blues/rock/country mashed together as the sun set, and the clouds rolled in.

1. The Arkells (Song you know: “Come to Light“)
I know. I am shocked I am putting these guys ahead of some of the bands from Saturday. But they nailed it. There was such an infectious energy coming from them. Afterwards, it left me wondering they weren’t given a higher spot on the bill, considering there were only the third act up on the main stages Saturday afternoon.

DAY THREE – Sunday August 2

8. X Ambassadors (Song everyone knows from the Jeep commercial: “Renegades“)
This band is probably the most “mainstream” rock group that I will listen to. Radio friendly tunes made for a big start to the day as the first band up. I just hope they can become more than a one-hit wonder and find a more diverse sound.

7. James Bay (Song you know: “Hold Back The River“)
The pretty boy of folk rock, he drew a huge crowd as we watched from the hill. I am unsure if I like him past his big single, but he did sound fantastic live. I am curious to see how his career will unfold.

6. Ryn Weaver (Song you may know from Songza: “Octahate“)
This girl is still getting her feet wet, but she’s well on her way to being a big stage presence. She has a truly unique voice, and I love her synth-pop sound. I hope to see her expand her live set and see what she does as she matures.

5. Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros (Song you know: “Home“)
This was a real roller coaster for me. When they first came out I honestly thought it sounded terrible and was going to be a total disaster. But slowly this group won me over with their charm, especially after encouraging a fan confined to a wheelchair to crowdsurf to the front and join the band on stage. I give the band full credit for doing that. It was also fun to sing “Home” campfire style with about 40,000 or so people.

4. The War on Drugs (Song you might know: “Red Eyes“)
Sean & Will might disagree with me, but I really enjoyed hearing this band live. While they lacked the charisma that Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros had, I found their sound and overall performance of a higher quality. It also hurt doesn’t that I am in love with their last album.

3. Father John Misty (Song you might know: “Ideal Husband“)
You either love this onstage persona, or hate it. I loved every second of it. He’s snarky, arrogant, but also hilarious brings out teenaged girl-like devotion in grown men. I don’t know many acts that can get MEN on the shoulders of OTHER MEN. I was just disappointed he didn’t play the above song, since it’s my fave off his latest album.

2. Future Islands (Song everyone knows from last summer: “Seasons (Waiting on You)“)
I linked to the infamous David Letterman appearance by this band because it really sums up how much fun these guys are to watch. The dancing, the assortment of the most random men in such a dance-rock-80sesque band is unlike anything else out there right now. Something did seem to go wrong with lead singer Samuel T. Herring’s mic after the first song, but it didn’t deter his energy. It also didn’t stop me from dancing my face off and nearly getting heat stroke.

1. Alt – J (Song you know: “Left Hand Free” but I want you to listen to “The Gospel of John Hurt” and “FItzpleasure“, oh and “Every Other Freckle” too)
I’d probably put this performance as Top 3 in the entire weekend. I really regret not seeing them on their last tour here in Toronto last year. Their sound is so unique, and watching them perform these synth-rock-electronic songs as the sun set on the final day was just perfect. This performance brought up my respect and love for this band and I would now place them as one of my favourite bands of today. Please give them a listen (even if you’re sick of “Left Hand Free”, I promise you will get some incredible music to listen to).

My end of the year rankings are really going to be difficult this year. 2015 is shaping up to be an truly outstanding year of music.

As always thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter for other random thoughts, rants, etc. 

Music Musings: Winter 2015 Recap

Crowd @ Sam Roberts

Winter. Some people embrace it, others loathe it. What often gets me through some of those cold, dark nights is sitting around with friends, listening to great music. And this winter was no different for me, and I’ve been stumbling upon some great artists.

Top Albums of Winter 2015

Here’s who I’ve been listening to the most this winter:

• The War on Drugs “Lost in the Dream”
• Broods “Evergreen”
• Cairo “A History of Reason”
• Jungle “Jungle”
• Bohemians “Settle Down, Carry On”
• Misterwives “Our Own House”
• Halsey “Room 93”
• Hey Rosetta! “Second Sight”
• Borns “Candy”
• Stars “No One Is Lost”
• Kitten “Kitten

This is also along with some solid favourites like Dear Rouge, White Lies, The XX, Broken Social Scene, and whatever Sean is jamming to on his stereo. We often have nights where we re-discover some old favourites. Recently he played me some Collective Soul and it was so great to listen to them again. Funnily enough, my old teenage favourites The Moffatts came up at work and it left me scouring YouTube for some of their old unreleased songs. I still love that band!! I dare you to put on some older music you bought when you were a teenager and see if your tastes have changed! (Or what you might end up falling in love with all over again).

Who I’ve Seen… and Who’s Next

Like last year, I am again going full tilt with live music. So far I have been to three concerts – The New Pornographers, Stars (with Hey Rosetta!), and Sam Roberts (with The High Dials). All of them thus far have been stellar! Sam Roberts I was lucky enough to see in Montreal (his hometown) and I am STILL blown away by the show. I also was really surprised by Stars. Their last album (The North) underwhelmed me but they’ve hit a home run with “No One Is Lost”. Next up? I am beyond excited to see Noel Gallagher in May. As a lifelong Oasis fan it pains me that I never saw Oasis in their prime, so for me this is the next best thing. I can’t wait to see what other shows I get to check out this spring & summer!

Festival Musings

I just want to say it. So far I have been completely underwhelmed by the Toronto festival lineups this year. I can’t go to Field Trip this year due to other commitments, but to be honest I am kind of happy I didn’t buy pre-sale tickets. Alabama Shakes would be pretty awesome to see live though. The new Way Home Festival was a let down. It seemed like a re-hash of last year’s NXNE lineup. I am crossing my fingers for a great Osheaga lineup. TURF & Riot Fest also need to step it up. Otherwise, I might not be hitting anywhere near 34 bands this year. Man, only a couple weeks away from turning 30 and I already sound like a grumpy old hipster! So step it up Toronto!! Music fans in this city deserve the best of the best!! I am tired of seeing festival lineups that don’t nearly come close to some of the other world class festivals around North America.

Find Your Jam

Need to refresh your playlist? I highly recommend Songza, and don’t be afraid to try some of those “Recommended for You” options on YouTube. I’ve found a few bands this way. And get back to listening to the radio! Yes, they will overplay some bands but every now & then a new one will cross your airwaves and get you hooked. Or, check out some of this city’s great live music venues and just randomly buy tickets to a show! And just because I am less than impressed with CMW doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a wristband and take in a whole week of music.

Happy listening! (And thanks for indulging me). @TeslaMay