The Fratellis at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Photos

I first heard of The Fratellis, as many people did, from their iPod commercial featuring "Flathead" from Costello Music. It's one of their many catchy rock tunes and one that gets embedded in the head via earworm.

I got to catch them at The Danforth Music Hall last month with one of my favourite bands, Blood Red Shoes, opening. Click through for those photos here. The Fratellis regaled us with their rousing rock tunes with giant, imminently singable choruses, and enthusiastic delivery. Even if it was so dark that Jon Fratelli commented that he couldn't see his bandmates.

Check out the standout tunes from their hit filled setlist.

"Henrietta"

"Baby Don't You Lie To Me"

"I've Been Blind"

"Flathead"

"Whistle for the Choir"

"Starcrossed Losers"

"Creepin' Up the Backstairs"

"Baby Fratelli"

"Chelsea Dagger"

Blood Red Shoes at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Photos

Blood Red Shoes stopped into Toronto on tour opening for The Fratellis. I'll be honest. I was at this show for Blood Red Shoes. I love this band. They should be absolutely huge. Heading these venues and bigger. Packing on rabid fans.

Last time I saw Blood Red Shoes live they headlined at The Garrison. My photos from that show are here. I've been anxiously waiting for their return ever since.

Although this was a short, opening set, it was awesome. I soaked up every second of it, from the opening three tunes where I got to be all on my own in the photo pit, through the remainder of the set. The riffs, the songs, the energy, the hooks; it's all there in abundance.

Check out my favourite tunes from their setlist, and don't miss this band next time they fly through your town. They do not disappoint.

"The Perfect Mess"

"Cold"

"An Animal"

"Black Distractions"

"Light It Up"

"God Complex"

"Speech Coma"

"This is Not for You"

"Red River"

"Je Me Perds"

"Colours Fade"

CMW 2018: A compendium of posts featuring July Talk, Ought, Casper Skulls, Kandle, Pkew Pkew Pkew, Pony, Begonia and more

Canadian Music Week was a little more low-key for me than usual. Just two nights of amazing music.

Friday, May 11 was the Audiotree North Launch Party at The Horseshoe Tavern with several familiar bands and one cool new discovery.

Ought

Casper Skulls

Pkew Pkew Pkew

Begonia

Pony

Thursday, May 10 was the Sleepless Records showcase at The Horseshoe Tavern with secret guest July Talk.

July Talk

Kandle

Shade

Sunshine and the Blue Moon

Follow the links to check out all my pics, my thoughts on the shows and some music from each artist!

CMW 2018: Ought at The Horseshoe Tavern - Concert Photos

It hasn't been a long time since I last saw Montreal post-punk/post-rock band Ought. It was actually back in early March at Lee's Palace. Before that, it was the summer of 2016 at Hillside.

This time it was in The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, for Canadian Music Week, for the Audiotree North launch party.

They played a set mostly made up of tunes from their latest album Room Inside the World, punctuated by perhaps their best known tunes "Men for Miles" and "Beautiful Blue Sky"from 2015's Sun Coming Down. As I've said before, I love the contradictions that this band rolls into their uniqueness; the way the rigid yet dynamic and jittery beats and riffs meet the impassioned and character-driven vocals, coming together into something that grows on me more and more with every listening. Their sound has also grown, evolved and even stretched out with richness, emotion and space. I dive in and stay a while.

Check out Ought's music:

"Disgraced In America", "These 3 Things", "Desire" and "Disaffectation"

"Men For Miles"

"Beautiful Blue Skies"

CMW 2018: Casper Skulls at The Horseshoe Tavern - Concert Photos

I've covered a lot of Casper Skulls on this site. First at The Garrison, then at Lee's Palace, again at Lee's Palace for CMW 2017, and most recently a Christmas Krampus party at The Rec Room.

Casper Skulls' shows are always a great time. Their songs are incredible. Their performances get more and more intense every time I see them.

This particular show was at The Horseshoe Tavern for Canadian Music Week and the launch of Audiotree North.

If you've seen them before, you know. If you haven't seen them, you should. Now please listen. That is all.

One of my favourite songs ever, "Lingua Franca"

The Audiotree North recording of "Caught on a Wire"

"Primeval"

"The Colour of the Outside"

"Love Brain"

"Primeval"