November 14, 2021

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs at Lee's Palace - Concert Photos

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs  at Lee's Palace on November 12, 2021 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

We're back, babies! Live music is back and it's almost like it was in the before times.

The first couple of shows that I attended during the first days of the reopening were very restricted. The only time you could unmask was when you were seated in your assigned, socially distanced, seating pod. It was great to be in a venue that I had missed so much, witnessing the kind of live band experience that I had missed so much, but it definitely lacked that communal vibe that a good, sweaty rock show gives you.

This time, people gathered in groups, no mandatory seating, no socially distanced pods; singing, dancing and dare-I-say-it rocking-out was permitted. The lifting restrictions were reflected in the lifted spirits of the crowd and the rising energy of the bands. Add to that the fact that this was a free show to help welcome back fans to venues, and you've got the makings of a great night out.

If you've been following along and reading these virtual pages for a while, you'll know that I love Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs' music and live show. Their classic-rock-reimagined / power pop vibe is one that resonates with me. Their massive instrumentation - yeah, that's three guitarists up front, plus keys, bass and drums, and lots of harmony/gang vocals - and earnest delivery; never mistaking the fact that this is a show; come together in a powerful experience.

The band's set started off with the powerful advice of "Talk to Her". I'm not super-good at keeping track of sets, but my notes say we heard the Steinman-esque "15 Minutes" from the band's latest album Real One next. As I shot pics and just enjoyed the show, my discipline waned, but highlights of the set were many, including "Sounds Alright", "Voicemail", the band's latest single "Back With The Gang", "She knows" which features one of the best opening chord progressions in rock, "Tough", "PhD" with another classic progression, :Gates of Hell", which amped up the crowd on the dance floor another notch, "All to Myself", the singalong "Real One" and "First Time". Wow. Quite a set!

As the set progressed and the crowd's enthusiasm grew, you got more and more singing along, dancing, and hanging off of each other, bouncing to the huge sounds of the band. It made my soul swell with hope.

This band just keeps cranking out amazing tunes with classic rock and power pop influences. I love their fresh take on tried and true rock tunes. Is there a genre called "post classic rock"? 

Check out my previous coverage of the band from when Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs first blew me away at Riverfest Elora, and from awesome shows at The Phoenix Concert TheatreThe Elora Brewing CompanyJasper DandyThe Garrison, and most recently at The Phoenix Concert Theatre

Little Junior has become one of my favourite bands. They did a great job opening up the show, and my coverage of their set is here.

Here are some tunes from Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs.

"Back with the Gang"

"Talk 2 Her"

"PhD"

"First Time"