May 14, 2019

Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Swmrs at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
The night that Swmrs headlined The Phoenix Concert Theatre was a big night of music. Four bands took to the stage and no doubt the crowd left the Phoenix exhausted after multiple circle pits and walls of death. Check out my photos of the other bands by following the links to Beach Goons, Goodbye Honolulu and Destroy Boys.

I've known Oakland California band Swmrs since I was introduced to 2016's Drive North. The new album Berkeley's on Fire sounded awesome and I knew I wanted to catch the live show.

Being between an enthusiastic audience screaming along with every word, and Swmrs' magnetic and dynamic frontman Cole Becker was an incredible rush. It's absolutely one of the best things, the treat, the thrill, the perk of doing this concert photographer thing. At the best times, you're in between a magical flow of energy between artist and audience, trying to capture it as best as you can with unpredictable lighting and action.

For this show, Swmrs only Canadian tour stop, they played a good mix of tunes from both of their full-length albums, giving the crowd more energy than most bands. That energy that I experienced while I was in the photo pit carried on and even from a spot about halfway back in the venue, the energy and magnetism of the performance was palpable. I think it goes without saying that I'd recommend you not miss these guys when they come through your town.

Here are my favourite tunes from their setlist.

"Trashbag Baby"

"Berkeley's on Fire"

"Too Much Coffee"

"Lose Lose Lose"

"Miley"

"Hannah"

"April in Houston"

"Figuring It Out"

"Palm Trees"

Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Beach Goons at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
The night that Swmrs headlined The Phoenix Concert Theatre was a big night of music. Four bands took to the stage and no doubt the crowd left the Phoenix exhausted after multiple circle pits and walls of death. Check out my photos of the other bands by following the links to Swmrs, Goodbye Honolulu and Destroy Boys.

Beach Goons are from sunny San Diego, a city I often wish I'd stayed in after working there for a couple of months many, many years ago. They dole out punky, groovy, danceable fun. They brought everyone together in a wall of death and closed their set with a cover of "La Bamba". I think they win the most entertaining bassist award, and not just for how he carried on playing when his strap fell off his bass.

Check out a bunch of their tunes below:

"Tar" "Hsrb" "Vatos" "Tristes" "Choker" "Hunny Bunnies" "A.M." and "Reservoir Dawgs"

Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Goodbye Honolulu at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
The night that Swmrs headlined The Phoenix Concert Theatre was a big night of music. Four bands took to the stage and no doubt the crowd left the Phoenix exhausted after multiple circle pits and walls of death. Check out my photos of the other bands by following the links to Swmrs, Beach Goons and Destroy Boys.

Local band Goodbye Honolulu were kind of a late addition to the bill. I'd seen them a few years back and liked their show, so I was looking forward to seeing them again. I love their varied tunes, the way they switch up vocals and instruments, and their highly entertaining drummer.

Check out their tunes below and my shots from their Horseshoe Tavern show in 2016.

"Typical"

"U Got It"

Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Destroy Boys at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 14, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
The night that Swmrs headlined The Phoenix Concert Theatre was a big night of music. Four bands took to the stage and no doubt the crowd left the Phoenix exhausted after multiple circle pits and walls of death. Check out my photos of the other bands by following the links to Swmrs, Beach Goons and Goodbye Honolulu.

Sacramento, California's Destroy Boys were up first. They were magnetic to watch and listen to. This was especially impressive because I didn't have a chance to check them out before the show. They were empowering, forming an all-girl pit to show how much fun it is, then encouraged the ladies to stay. They played a solid cover of Nirvana's "Territorial Pissings" and later got the crowd into their first wall of death of the night.

Destroy Boys put on a great show. Check out their music below, and don't miss their next gig.

"American River"

Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Photos

Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
Wintersleep at The Danforth Music Hall on April 13, 2019 Photo by John Ordean at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures photos nikon d750 camera yyz photographer
I've seen Wintersleep live many times. I always love hearing their classic tunes and I love the way they keep pushing the envelope with their new music, consistently, album after album. This show was an especially great mix of old and brand new tunes.

Wintersleep keep me enthralled with their passionate delivery and cool jams. Damn, that drummer puts in a serious workout and gives it his all every single time. This was especially noticed during the last several songs. Check out their full setlist here and my favourites from the set below. Wintersleep's latest album In the Land Of is out now.

Partner opened up the show and my photos of their set are here.

As I mentioned, I've seen Wintersleep many times. Click through on the links to my shots of them at The Mod Club, The Danforth Music Hall, Riverfest Elora, Lee's Palace and at The Phoenix with Frightened Rabbit.

"Surrender"

"Into the Shape of your Heart"

"Never Let You Go"

"Forest Fire"

"Amerika"

"Spirit"

"Beneficiary"

"Weighty Ghost"

"Oblivion"