July 30, 2016

The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Pictures

The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
I’ve been listening to the music of Melbourne, Australia band The Cat Empire since their 2005 album Two Shoes came to my attention but I only just caught their live show for the first time on July 27, during their Toronto tour stop at The Danforth Music Hall.

On the band’s Facebook page, they describe their genre as “you name it!!!” and I’d say that sums them up nicely. They mix pop, jazz, ska, latin, gypsy and rock styles up in a blender and serve it up in a danceable, infectious, irresistible and uplifting mix for enthusiastic fans worldwide.

The Cat Empire is guaranteed to provide a dance-party good time. I'm a sucker for horns and their horn-laden sound made my night. The crowd in attendance at The Danforth Music Hall was loud and rambunctious. They were quiet for the opener but didn't hold back for The Cat Empire. This band featured something in their show that I don't recall seeing before - an actually enjoyable drum solo. This is because it kept the dance groove going throughout and was as much about keeping everyone dancing as it was about rhythmic pyrotechnics.

The Cat Empire are a rousing, joyous cure all. Crazy good musicians who don't let their technical prowess get in the way of producing great songs, having fun and making sure the audience is entertained.  Their latest album, 2016's Rising With The Sun is out now.
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The Cat Empire at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Here's a bunch of music from The Cat Empire, following their setlist.

"Bulls"

"Wolves"

"Two Shoes"

"Steal the Light"

"Still Young"

Main set ending tune "All Night Loud"

Final encore song "The Chariot"

Sarah MacDougall at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Pictures

Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Sarah McDougall at The Danforth Music Hall on July 27, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
On July 27, I took in a performance by new wave folk singer Sarah MacDougall and her band. She was born in Malmö, Sweden and is now based in Whitehorse, Yukon and Toronto. The band's on tour opening for The Cat Empire's Canadian dates.

Sarah and the band produce easy-on-the-ears folk rock tunes. I found that their set picked up in intensity as it proceeded, creating a big, full sound from the band that was complimented by Sarah's strong voice.

Give some of her music a listen:

"I Want To See The Light (lost from our eyes)"

"Malmö i mitt hjärta"

Hillside Festival 2016: A compendium of posts - Concert Pictures

Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
I attended Hillside Festival on Guelph Lake Island on July 22. I thought it was a well-run, friendly festival on a beautiful site, that allowed me to see some great acts that I knew, along with a number of new discoveries. I'll definitely have this festival on my calendar for future years and I hope to be able to catch the full weekend in future.

Click through to the individual posts on each band I saw, and some photos from around the festival site. These posts include my thoughts on the performances, music by the artists and, of course, more photos.








Hillside 2016: Around the site - Concert Pictures

I attended the first day of Hillside Festival on July 22. I made these photos around the site.
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Island July 22, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures