Spoons at The Ex - Concert Photos

Burlington, Ontario 80s new wave legends Spoons performed on the Bandshell stage at this 2023 edition of The Ex. I've covered the band a whole bunch, most recently at this year's Riverfest Elora.

It's always a treat to hear some of my favourite 80s Spoons classics like "Arias & Symphonies", "Old Emotions", "Nova Heart", "Romantic Traffic" and "Tell No Lies", plus some new tunes, like "First and Last Time". The band sounded great and put on a fun, crowd-pleasing performance.

If you like, check out my previous Spoons coverage, at Riverfest Elora 2023, at The Great Hall in 2019, The Ex in 2018, The Ex in 2016, and The Ex in 2014.

And here's the classic, "Romantic Traffic"

Dominic Fike at Massey Hall - Concert Review

Dominic Fike put on an incredible show in Toronto at Massey Hall for his Don’t Stare at the Sun Tour on Sunday night. He performed many of the songs off his most recent album, “Sunburn”, which was released on July 7, as well as many of his classic hits such as “3 Nights” and “Why”. 

Although he fell ill just two days prior after his previous show in Detroit, he was able to put on an energetic performance thanks to the doctors that helped him recover. He was very engaged with the crowd throughout the show by jumping around different areas of the stage and encouraging the audience to sing along. There was evidence of a true connection between him and his fans. He was willing to sign some fans’ merchandise and put on articles of clothing that fans tossed to him on stage. 

During the second half of the set, Dominic put on an amazing acoustic performance where he showcased his guitar skills through a new unreleased song, as well as the very emotional track “Dark”. Fans were able to connect with him by waving their flashlights during this part of the show, demonstrating their true love and support for him. 

Between songs, Dominic mentioned his love for Canada in general, mentioning his obsession with the country as a child where he collected Canadian coins and anything with polar bears on it. He also shouted out his bassist who is a true Torontonian and had his family at the show. Dominic Fike is a truly talented artist with a real love for his fans, which resulted in a remarkable show that fans will look back on as a great memory.

Take a listen to "3 Nights"

Review by Sarah Ordean

Riverfest Elora 2023: A compendium of posts - Concert Photos

Riverfest Elora is my favourite summer music festival. It combines artists I love with new artists that I've never heard of that find a permanent spot in my music library. The vibe of the festival is chill and inviting, friendly and fun.

The 2023 edition of the festival is also their lucky 13th festival, and my sixth. And there wasn't a drop of rain during the festival!

Thanks to the Riverfest Elora team for curating and orchestrating an amazing weekend of music, fun, food and friends. And, of course, for granting me access to capture the images of the festival performers.

Follow the links below to individual posts on each artist that I covered.

Friday, August 18

The Reklaws

Matt Mays

Renforshort

Spoons

Shred Kelly

Adam Baldwin

Myst Milano.

Saturday, August 19

Metric

JJ Wilde

Talk

The Aggrolites

Rêve

Aviv

Fake Shark

Maestro Fresh Wes

Boogey the Beat

CJ Wiley

Vince the Messenger

Michael Costantini

Animal Boy

Sunday, August 20

Feist

Charlotte Cardin

Leif Vollebekk

Mobley

Kellie Loder

Skye Wallace

K-Man and the 45s

Shebad

Anna Padock & The Lay Awakes

Jiggity James

This was my sixth time covering Riverfest Elora. You can check out my coverage of previous years' through these links:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2022

I'm already looking forward to next year... 

Riverfest Elora 2023: Feist on the Main Stage - Concert Photos

Feist headlined Riverfest Elora 2023 Sunday. Her set was a perfect way to end this thirteenth edition of Riverfest Elora and it was such as Sunday vibe. I loved it!

The set started with the full band, and later on, Feist did some solo acoustic tunes. The solo acoustic rendition of "Mushaboom" was transcendent. Wow. She said it was a deep cut, but it's easily one of my favourite Feist songs. And then followed with "The Good in Each Other". Amazing.

Feist's set was the perfect closer for an amazing weekend. A weekend filled with amazing music, amazing people, good food and great vibes. And it was rainless! 

Links to all posts on all the artists I covered at Riverfest this year are gathered in one post. Click here to check it out.

"In Lightning"

"I Feel it All"

"Mushaboom"

Riverfest Elora 2023: Charlotte Cardin on the Main Stage - Concert Photos

Charlotte Cardin is an incredible songwriter, performer and musician. This Riverfest Elora main stage performance was my third time seeing and capturing a Charlotte Cardin performance. 

Her set featured fantastic vocals, beautiful songs and a gripping performance, all for the enjoyment of her enthusiastic fans. Cardin has a new album coming out and mentioned a new song she wrote with Patrick Watson. I know I'm not alone in looking forward to its release.

I've collected links to each performer that I covered at Riverfest Elora 2023 into one post. You can find it right here.

"Confetti"

"Dirty Dirty"

Riverfest Elora 2023: Leif Vollebekk on the Main Stage - Concert Photos

When Leif Vollebekk's main stage set was introduced, we learned that he's been a favourite of the Riverfest Elora organizers and someone they've wanted at the fest for some time. And we finally got to witness this special set.

The music flowed through and over the crowd. It has a spiritual and ethereal quality that has a meditative quality. This kind of music seems to come from deep inside; a force that cannot and will not be contained, and must be shared to bring joy.

I've put links to all my Riverfest Elora coverage into one post as a launching point to see and discover. Click right here and explore.

"I'm Not Your Lover"

Riverfest Elora 2023: Mobley in the Koop Tent - Concert Photos

I don't think I've ever witnessed a performer with a TV set on their head. There's a first time for everything, they say, and this performance by Mobley was that first. 

His tunes are widely varied and powerful with him jumping from keyboard to guitar to drums to playing the hands of the front-row audience. It was a creative and intense performance that got everyone in the Riverfest Elora Koop Tent moving. Great stuff!

Check out this post for links to everything I covered at this thirteenth edition of Riverfest Elora!

"lord"

Riverfest Elora 2023: Kellie Loder on the Main Stage - Concert Photos

Newfoundland's Kellie Loder performed their chill yet passionate tunes on the Riverfest Elora main stage. The Juno Award nominee played with fellow Maritime musicians and solo for a few songs.

Click right here for a post that has links to all of my Riverfest Elora 2023 coverage.

"Molded Like a Monster"