September 24, 2017

Riverfest Elora 2017: Polaris Prize, The Band - Concert Pictures

Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band at Riverfest Elora 2017 at Bissell Park on August 19, 2017 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Polaris Prize the Band played a really fun set of jam-worthy classic cover tunes with amazing groove and skill in the Koop tent at Riverfest Elora. Their set was solid, with classic songs from Elvis Costello, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits and Stevie Wonder, punctuated by the rousing singalong in Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping". I loved the tight rhythm section, the solid guitar playing, great vocals and, of course, the fantastic horn section. It was a fun dust-off of classics that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.

I was just left with one lingering question: What's with the name? Maybe someone can clue me in. The bio says that the 10-piece band is made up of "Juno Award-winning Sisters Euclid with the explosive Heavyweights Brass Band, topped off by soul singer deluxe, Christopher Rouse." No mention of the Polaris Prize anywhere.

Have they all been on Polaris Prize nominated albums? Are they taking a poke at the Polaris Prize? They seem to be a band with a name invoking a current, cross-genre, sales-agnostic, innovative music award while performing classic rock and R&B. The newest song they played was Chumbawamba’s 1997 hit, “Tubthumping.”. That newest song came out a full 9 years before the Polaris Prize began issuing it’s award.

While awesome and entertaining, and the band is certainly populated with accomplished musicians, the music the band played is by artists who are the great-grandfathers of the Polaris generation of artists. Counterpoint perhaps? A grumpy dig at new music? "There's no good music anymore!"?  If it's the latter, and based on a sarcastic comment by Kevin Breit in the video below, I think it is, I have to say it's very unfortunate and a negative premise to base your band's image on. Why not take a positive view of what you're doing versus insulting something that you're not? Of course, maybe I've got it all wrong...

Give them a listen: