Photos by Andrew Hartl
By: Kat Harlton
Photos: Andrew Hartl
http://www.thewildfeathers.com
Nashville-based The Wild Feathers came back to Toronto this past Thursday to headline a packed show at Lee’s Palace. Currently on tour in support of their recently released sophomore album, Lonely Is A Lifetime, the 5-piece brought their gritty and no-holds-barred southern rock to an excited audience and then gave an invigorating performance.
Having only stumbled across The Wild Feathers a couple of years ago, this was my first time catching them live and they were even better than expected. From the minute they took the stage it was clear that this is a band that loves what they do. They are emotive performers and I felt exhausted just watching them continually give everything they had song after song.
Displaying their signature harmonies, they played numerous tracks off their current album, including Sleepers, Into The Sun, the title track Lonely Is A Lifetime (a personal fave) and the eight-minute long Goodbye Song. They also played The Ceiling and then lead the crowd into a rousing sing-a-along of fan favorite Left My Woman from their self-titled debut.
A fun highlight was Taylor Burns showcasing the back of his guitar during the encore as it featured tape that formed the words ‘Fuck Trump’. This was to the delight and applause of fans . Joined by opening act The Shelters, the band closed out the evening with an upbeat cover of With A Little Help From My Friends.
I had such a great time, and can’t wait to catch this band again. The Wild Feathers’ tour goes until the end of July with dates in Europe, the UK, and Australia.
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Review by Samantha Wu
Photos by Andrew Hartl
http://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishing
The members of Dream Theater have truly outdone themselves with their current tour, The Astonishing, that took to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts stage this weekend. This prog metal band is known across the globe for their highly theatrical and visually stunning stage shows to accompany their impeccably skilled musicianship — the drawn-out solos performed by virtuosos in their field are expected at a Dream Theater show.
To accompany their latest concept album of the same name released earlier this year, the band has literally constructed a full world within their show, The Great Northern Empire of the Americas (GNEA), and has populated said world with a royal family (including Emperor Nefaryus, Empress Arabelle, Princess Faythe, and Prince Daryus). A rebel militia group known as the Ravenskill is determined to take down the ruling and oppressive family with the power of music. There is chaos, strife, and intrigue within this fantastical dystopian world that is both futuristic and medieval at the same time. The project is inspired heavily by science fiction and fantasy stories like Game of Thrones and Star Wars.
Fans can learn more about these rock opera characters in the playbill accompanying the show, with further details in their tour program available for purchase or on their website. The characters in question are featured throughout the projections shown on every flat surface on the stage. The graphics, animation, colours, and visual effects are, simply put, some of the best that I’ve seen in any live stage show. They are stunningly gorgeous and sold me on the show. Often times I found myself more intrigued by the visuals than by watching Dream Theater perform.
Not that they didn’t do a fine job as they usually do. The band was in fine form performing The Astonishing album in its entirety with two acts broken by an intermission (much to the dismay of one fan who called out for the song “6:00” at regular intervals throughout the show). The members of Dream Theater are consistently heralded as within the Top 10 of their field, which makes their music some of the most technically skilled and complex out there. It translates to their live shows and, in particular, to the extended solos that show off what these guys are truly capable of. There are times when it seems like they draw out their songs for far longer than ever necessary but within the context of this performance and the story being told, it just seemed to work.
That said, it was hard to not notice the number of times lead singer James LaBrie reached for his water and thermos on stage and ducked off stage in between songs. During his performance, it seemed evident that he was pushing himself and it may have been that he was coming down with something. I have to hand it to him, doing two-hour-plus performance like this almost nightly is far from easy and can wreak havoc on the body. In fact, at the end of the show, it was LaBrie who drew attention to guitarist John Petrucci who he said was “sick as a dog” and thought would “pass out at any moment”. Now THAT I need to applaud as he held it together incredibly well throughout the show, his illness wasn’t showing in his performance at all.
Hats off to Dream Theater, one of the most talented and hard working bands out there, for pulling off such a mind blowing show despite illness and fatigue. Their North American tour continues in the States with a stop in Boston next. If you have a chance to see them this time around, do so as you won’t be disappointed. I just hope the guys have the chance to catch their breath and rest up soon.
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Encore:
All Photos by Andrew Hartl
By Nicole Ireland
Photos by Andrew Hartl
Before I go into how fantastic Marianas Trench was, the openers really deserve some love. Kieran Mercer, the first opener, is an up and coming pop rock act from British Columbia who had a ton of energy and was an awesome start to the night. The second opener was Walk Off the Earth and they put on a really creative, original, and AMAZING set. With up to 9 people on stage at a time, they used a whole slew of instruments (including a didgeridoo because why the heck not?), and they brought an energy that was out of this world. They were the perfect way to get everyone hyped for Marianas Trench!
There are a few things that you can expect to happen at every Marianas Trench concert, and last night’s show was no different. Josh Ramsay needs to give the audience some sass, everyone always goes into a frenzy when they play “Cross My Heart,” Ramsay has to fly over the crowd (also creating a frenzy), and the four guys need to hold each other’s hands to take a bow at the end of the night which makes for the best photo-op/emotional moment for everyone in the venue. A Marianas Trench concert just isn’t the same without all of these things!
Last night’s concert at the ACC was their last Ontario show on the Never Say Die tour, and it’s safe to say that they left all of us wanting more.
On top of the MT show essentials that I already mentioned, there were a couple of new additions that made long-time fans like myself just as excited to see this show as I was to see all the others before. Some of the wonderful additions included an array of fun 80’s inspired costumes which consisted of a lot of tight, crazy patterned pants and an often shirtless Josh, and some really cool on-screen graphics that followed along with the 80’s themed show.
Obviously, another (and the most important) addition to the Never Say Die tour was the inclusion of songs off of Astoria, MT’s newest album. The new songs sounded incredible played live and were way too much fun to sing along to! Look up “This Means War,” “Yesterday,” and “Burning Up” if you want to know exactly what I’m talking about. But my absolute favourite part of the night was when the band slowed it down and Ramsay pulled out the piano. He began singing a stripped down version of “One Love,” the first single off of Astoria. I could feel myself getting choked up, but then the rest of the band joined in with backup vocals and their instruments and, wow it was such an emotional and happy moment.
This album circuit has been a particularly fun one for me. I wrote a review of Astoria back in October and interviewed the band about the album. You can read the review here, and the interview here. It all came together last night while reviewing the best concert I’ve been to, probably since the last MT concert.
Marianas Trench never fails to put on an incredible show, and I always leave their concerts with ringing ears, a sore throat, and a happy heart. When they come around next time, do yourself a favour and go. I can guarantee you won’t regret it.
Photography by Andrew Hartl
In support of CAMH Foundation Gifts of Light and with a goal of $100,000, this year’s annual Andy Kim Christmas show was held at The Phoenix in Toronto.
Said Kim a few weeks prior to the show: “I’m thrilled to announce both the return of many of my musical friends, as well as a number of artists joining me for the first time. As is the case every year, I can always count on the generosity of spirit of wonderful performers who join me in supporting a very important cause. For the third year in a row, this year’s concert will be benefiting CAMH and its Gifts of Light Program”
CAMH (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) is Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world’s leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. Gifts of Light is a program aimed at providing hope and comfort to the patients in treatment at CAMH. While it is a year-round program, it brings hope and dignity to patients who may otherwise be alone, without gifts or visitors or cause for celebration, during the holiday season.
Performers included, of course, Andy Kim, along with Tom Cochrane, Barenaked Ladies, Michael and Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), The Trews, Ron Sexsmith, Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), Beaches, Honeymoon Suite, Kardinal Offishall, Finger Eleven, Tom Wilson, Tomi Swick and other featured guest hosts.
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Photography by Andrew Hartl
Please click on photos to enlarge, or to open slide show and scroll through.
Photography by Andrew Hartl
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Review and Photos by Andrew Hartl
This was the 3rd installment of the annual YES Cruise to the Edge, a five-day event featuring some of the world’s top progressive rock acts. The line-up included YES, of course, along with Marillion, Saga, Haken, Neil Morse Band, Alan Holdsworth, Anathema, Three Friends, PFM, Martin Barre, Caravan, Spocks Beard, Nektar, Anglagard, Lifesigns, IO Earth, Enchant, Messenger, Moon Safari, Thank you Scientist, Jolly, Bad Dreams, and a host of others.
Round the clock prog rock was scattered throughout the beautiful Norwegian Pearl Cruise Liner. YES as well as Marillion each played 2 shows in the Stardust Theater, the pool deck was transformed into a concert venue during the afternoons and evenings, and every lounge, nightclub and bar aboard the ship featured bands performing throughout the day.
This year’s itinerary began at the Port of Miami then sailed to Key West which was followed by a private island (which had been pounded with rain the previous day). So, to make up for the lack of a beach party day, travelers got to spend 12 hours in Nassau, Bahamas, which was followed by a full day at sea.
Passengers were able to get their photos taken with all of the artists involved, thanks to daily Meet and Greets. There were also band Q&A sessions, theme nights, and nightly karaoke in the Bliss Lounge, which turned out to be extremely popular among the passengers as well as the artists.
The cruise was a great way to spend a few days vacation among ongoing live music, beautiful Caribbean destinations, and being pampered with wonderful food and good times. With more than 18 dining options and countless bars, no one went hungry or thirsty. And the ship’s casino was a highlight for some lucky passengers whose shrieks of joy mixed with the non stop music. To help soothe aching muscles after a day of rocking out, the ship featured an amazing spa where party goers could relax, and it was a welcome sight to many.
Organizers have delivered these rock themed cruises for several years now, and trust me when I say they know how to do it right.
From the moment passengers arrive at the cruise terminal until they disembark the ship, everything runs like a well oiled machine. The logistics are mind boggling. Hats off to the amazing crew for a job well done.
Here is a photo gallery of the performances. Click on photos to enlarge.
