I've seen Toronto indie pop band Highs two times before their appearance as the first band on the Wax on Wheels Stage at Riverfest Elora on August 19. First I saw them at Lee's Palace for a TURF Club Bonus Series show last summer. Then I caught them at The Portlands for NXNE earlier this summer.
They looked like they were having more fun than usual delivering their sunshiny, upbeat tunes, and they usually look like they're having a lot of fun.
Highs were the next band up on stage at The Portlands for NXNE on Saturday, June 18. I had seen Highs last summer at Lee's Palace during a TURF Club Bonus Series show. Those pics are here.
Their sunshiny indie pop was a perfect fit for the weather and mood of the day. Their tunes feature beautiful melodies, intertwining guitars and dance-able beats. Their debut album Dazzle Camoflage is out now.
The Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF) is my favourite festival of the summer. Due to the Panam Games, the festival had to move from it's usual July dates to September. This also means that it's my last festival of the summer season. Save the best for last, they say. And so we did.
TURF 2015 got started for me on September 16 with their first Club Bonus Series show at Lee's Palace. First up on stage was Toronto alt-pop band Highs. They got the band going in 2012 and have built up quite an enthusiastic following, evidenced by those in the crowd shouting out the band member's names and singing along with their up-beat tunes.
Highs delivered high-energy, danceable tunes with lots of intertwined guitar licks.The second last song amped up the dancing in the crowd and got the sing-along going. Fun show from a cool band that I'm sure we'll be hearing more from.