The Dirty Nil at Indie88’s Up in Smoke Legalization Event at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

The Dirty Nil are a powerhouse rock band that put on a simply amazing rock and roll show. Their new album Master Volume just came out in September and I got to catch the band once again when they played Indie88’s Up in Smoke Legalization Event at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on weed legalization day in Canada, October 17.

The band was in perfect form, doling out tunes with unmatched intensity to a crowd that was packing in close and loving every minute. The new tunes sound amazing and the band consistently proves themselves to be one of the best live bands playing right now. Go see them. Really. Go see them. If you're in Toronto, your next chance is at The Opera House on December 1.

I have seen The Dirty Nil perform before. I caught their live show for the first time at Riverfest Elora back in 2017. I was blown away. Check out those photos here. I also got to see them opening for The Hold Steady during their four-night stand at The Horseshoe. They played on the day of Master Volume's release.

The Dirty Nil played sandwiched between headliners Japandroids and openers Sure. Click through to check out those pics, too.

Listen to some of The Dirty Nil's music:

"Bathed In Light"

"That's What Heaven Feels Like"

"I Don't Want That Phone Call"

"Please Please Me", "Pain of Infinity", a cover of Metallica's "Hit the Lights", and "Smoking is Magic"

"No Weaknesses"

Sure at Indie88’s Up in Smoke Legalization Event at The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Concert Photos

Indie 88's own Brent has a band. They're called Sure and they're a really solid indie/alternative rock power trio with fun and relatable tunes. I got to see them as the first band on stage at Indie88’s Up in Smoke Legalization Event at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on Canada's first day of legal weed, October 17.

Sure got the crowd warmed up for The Dirty Nil and headliners Japandroids on a fun evening of weed (brought by attendees only and enjoyed outside, of course), snacks like cotton candy, rockets and assorted gummies, jelly beans and other fruit-flavoured treats, plus paraphernalia like papers and grinder cards. And how can I forget the gift of a McD's burger on the way out?

Let Sure's tunes spend some time with your ears and check them out live.

"Bored"


"Neighbours"


"Brittany"

Dinosaur Jr. at The Opera House - Concert Photos

I've been a pretty huge Dinosaur Jr. fan since my teenage years. I love the guitar tones and guitar playing, the hook-filled power pop tunes and relentless high energy of the rhythm section. And did I mention the guitar? The tone that J. Mascis coaxes from his Fender guitars and his personal surround-sound enclave of distortion and volume is magical to witness. I'm just glad I wear earplugs.

I got a chance to see Dinosaur Jr. again when they played Toronto's Opera House. This time I got to bring my camera along to capture the experience. We got a special treat in the form of a live recording of Damian Abraham's Turned Out A Punk podcast with all three members of Dinosaur Jr. Then Matthew "Doc" Dunn's opening set. Followed by the main event.

And what a main event it was! I got so many personal favourite tunes like "Goin' Down", "Watch the Corners", "Feel the Pain", "The Wagon", "Start Choppin'", and their cover of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven". We also got some special guests in the form of Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew on "The Wagon" and Fucked Up's Damian Abraham on two covers that finished off the encore; The Stooges "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and Last Rights' "Chunks". What a show!

In other news, J. Mascis has just released a new solo album called Elastic Days. Check out "Elastic Days". "See You at The Movies" and "Web So Dense". J's back in Toronto on December 1 at The Great Hall.

Here are some of my favourite Dino Jr. tunes from their setlist.

"Goin' Down"

"Watch the Corners"

"Feel the Pain"

"The Wagon"

"Start Choppin'"

"Just Like Heaven"

Matthew "Doc" Dunn at The Opera House - Concert Photos

Matthew “Doc” Dunn and his band warmed up the crowd gathered at The Opera House to see Dinosaur Jr. They played classic sounding tunes with long jams.

Here's some of their music

Interpol at Rebel - Concert Photos

New York City post-punk band Interpol is certainly among my favourite bands and their music holds a special place in my library. Sadly, they've always been missing from my live photo portfolio. All that changed in September, when I caught their live show at Toronto's Rebel as they toured to support the release of their latest album Marauder.

I only stuck around for their first three songs, unfortunately, since I'd already committed to be up at The Horseshoe for the second night of four in The Hold Steady's Constructive Summer series. Fortunately, they hit up some great tunes like "Pioneer to the Falls" and "All the Rage Back Home" plus new tune "If You Really Love Nothing", so I feel like I got a pretty good, if all too brief, show.

Their setlist has a very cool cross section of Interpol tunes that makes me wish I could have been in two places at once. And that encore! Next time.

And don't forget to check out my shots of opening act Sunflower Bean, who put on a killer set.

Here are some of my favourites from the band's setlist.

"Pioneer to the Falls"

"All the Rage Back Home"

"If You Really Love Nothing"

"Mammoth"

"NYC"

"The Rover"

"Rest My Chemistry"

"Lights"

"Evil"

"Obstacle 1"