TURF Preview Series: Northcote at Lee's Palace - Concert Pictures
Happy one week after Canada Day! Like any day, it's a perfect day to celebrate great Canadian talent. Talent like Northcote, who appeared at Lee's Palace for the very first TURF Preview Series show on June 24. Northcote is appearing at the Toronto Urban Roots Festival on Friday, September 18. Other upcoming TURF Preview Shows were announced recently with The Birds of Bellwoods on August 13 at Lee's Palace and Union Duke at The Horseshoe Tavern on August 21.
Ever since I saw Matt take control of the Sound Academy audience I have wanted to see him with a band. I figured his powerful and dynamic songs would be even more so with the addition of drums bass and another guitar. I was right. Oh so right. Now I can't wait to see Matt play outside at TURF.
Matt and his fellow facial hair farmers took to the stage at Lee's Palace and treated us to a powerhouse set. I'm never quite perfect at keeping track of a set list, but here's a somewhat scattered summary. He opened with a personal favourite, "How Can You Turn Around", followed by "I Hope The Good Things Never Die", "Find Our Own Way", "Never Let Me Down", "Counting Down The Days" "When You Cry". "Burn Right Past Them All", "A Thousand Nights", "Wheels" from 2009's Borrowed Chords, Tired Eyes and they closed the set "Drive Me Home". Matt then returned to the stage for a solo electric version of "Only One Who Knows My Name". Outstanding. This is timeless uplifting feel good rock music.
They varied the band format, too. After a bunch of full-band tunes, the drummer and bassist got a break for the tune "Free Tonight". Then Matt played solo with his guitar and harmonica on "Worry" and "Wild Card". The band then re-emerged to provide some backing vocals on "Invisible Diamonds" before getting back to the full-band fun.
The set was sprinkled with new tunes. They played five new songs in total from the band's forthcoming album. I caught titles like "Bracelet and "Bitter End" along with an energetic rocker about small town dreams. I'm definitely looking forward to this new release.
