Screaming Females at Hard Luck - Concert Photos

Screaming Females from New Brunswick, New Jersey are easily one of my favourite live bands. Marissa Paternoster's guitar mastery is brilliant to behold. And that sound! That tone! The raw emotion that flows from her hands to the strings! She is a true guitar hero. Her vocals are as impassioned as the songs the band creates. The rhythm section completes the massive sound and keeps the energy level at their shows absolutely intense.

This show at Toronto's Hard Luck marked the fourth time that I've seen the band perform and for me it was easily the best. This was in no small part due to the fact that they included my favourite song, "Ripe" in the set, and that their new album All At Once is just completely fantastic.

The show also featured local alternative rockers Girlongirl and Radiator Hospital. Click through to see my pics from their sets.

Click the links to check out my photos from previous Screaming Females shows that I've photographed at The Garrison in 2017, The Silver Dollar Room in 2016 and The Garrison in 2015.

I love this band for their intensity, passion, musicianship and virtuosity. I started picking my favourites from this show's setlist, but ended up with the whole thing below. Take the opportunity to experience this amazing band live.

"Empty Head" opened the show

"Fall Asleep"

"Glass House" got the crowd going in full force

"Bird in Space"

"Rose Mountain"

"Step Outside"

"Ripe". My favourite Screamales song.

"Doom 84"

"Soft Domination"

"Deeply"

"Black Moon" was the intense closer for the main set

"It All Means Nothing" was the encore tune

Radiator Hospital at Hard Luck - Concert Photos

Philadelphia's Radiator Hospital was sandwiched between Toronto natives Girlongirl and headliners Screaming Females at a fantastic show at The Hard Luck. This show marked the band's first time in Toronto and I'd say they left their mark with their intense performance of songs that balanced heavy and catchy in just the right amounts.

Check out some tunes and go see them live the next time they're in your town.

"Our Song"

"Dance Number"

"Cut Your Bangs"

Girlongirl at Hard Luck - Concert Photos

Toronto alternative rock band Girlongirl were up first opening for Screaming Females and Radiator Hospital at The Hard Luck in Toronto. Girlongirl put on a great show with songs featuring huge chords and heavy jams. I loved their energy, their music and their sound. They even gave us a cover of Guided by Voices' "How Loft I Am".

Check out some tunes from this solid band and go see them live:

Ought at Lee's Palace - Concert Photos

Last Wednesday, I got to see Montreal post-punks Ought once again. The first time was back at Hillside a couple of years ago. My pics and thoughts on that show are here.

They've got a new album Room Inside the World that just came out a few weeks ago and a ton of great tunes from their past. I find the music almost hypnotic with rigid beats that manage to be groovy and keep your body moving. I love how singer Tim Darcy seems to deliver his songs in characters.

This band wears their influences on their sleeve and delivers music that is uniquely ambitious and never derivative.

Check out a bunch of tunes and go see the band live, where they truly shine.

"These 3 Things"

"Disgraced in America"

"Desire"

"Habit"

"Take Everything"

"Men for Miles"

"Beautiful Blue Sky"

Snail Mail at Lee's Palace - Concert Photos

Snail Mail performed at Toronto's Lee's Palace on March 7 opening for Montreal's Ought.

They impressed me with their driving, dynamic indie-rock tunes with emotive and impassioned vocals. Singer and guitarist Lindsey Jordan writes some very cool, introspective tunes, is a great guitar player and has cool presence. I loved their set and found the powerful song that Lindsey performed solo a brave and impactful set closer.

Check out some Snail Mail tunes.

"Thinning"

"Dirt", "Slug", "Thinning", "Static Buzz", and "Stick"