October 3, 2016

TURF 2016: A compendium of posts - Concert Pictures

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Toronto Urban Roots Festival is my favourite festival of the concert season. It's got such a great vibe and fantastically curated line-up that brings me many of my favourites and several new discoveries each year. Not to say that many other festivals aren't super-enjoyable, well run and well curated, but TURF just has an energy that fits so well for me as a music fan.

This year's festival was no exception with highlights like The Hold Steady, Limblifter, The New Pornographers, Skinny Lister, The Hives and Matt Mays, plus new discoveries like John Moreland, Lee Harvey Osmond, Explosions in the Sky and Modern Space. The food is always a highlight and there are always eats I wish I'd had more room for. The site at Fort York Garrison Common is beautiful, historic and accessible, giving great spaces to see bands, eat meals and enjoy spectacular views.

One of the features that differentiates TURF from other festivals is the VIP access to the front-of-stage, front-of-the-barrier area typically known as the photo pit. Accredited photographers get access for the first three songs and then the VIP ticket-holders get to enjoy that view for the rest of each band's set. I think that this access is one of the best things about TURF and something that other festivals should adopt. It's a great VIP benefit that's well with paying extra for.

Here are links to every post on this year's festival, posts on each band at the outdoor festival and each band I caught during the Club Series. Photos by myself and Roy Cohen.

The Festival










TURF 2016: Club Series: A compendium of posts - Concert pictures

The Club Series at The Toronto Urban Roots Festival is a fantastic addition to a great festival. You get the opportunity to see some amazing acts perform in a club setting at two of Toronto's premiere music venues - The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern and Lee's Palace. It makes for some long days, but it's well worth it.

All the pictures from the Club Series shows at this year's TURF are now up!

Click the links below for the individual posts with more photos, thoughts on the performances and music from the artists:








TURF 2016: Day 3: A compendium of posts - Concert pictures

September 18 marked the third and last day of the 2016 edition of The Toronto Urban Roots Festival's outdoor Fort York Garrison Common event. The sun came out and made for a fantastic day of music, food and friends.

Here are links to all of the artists we captured on TURF Day 3. Photos by Roy Cohen and myself.













September 30, 2016

TURF 2016: Club Show: The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace - Concert Pictures

The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
The New Pornographers at Lee's Palace for The Toronto Urban Roots Festival TURF Club Series September 18, 2016 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative live music blog concert photography pictures
I've made no illusions about my love for the music of west-coast power pop supergroup The New Pornographers, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I trekked up to Lee's Palace to see their TURF club show.

It was their first time playing two gigs in one day and they did a great job of it, playing their amazingly well crafted tunes with energy and enthusiasm.

It was a fantastic show and a wonderful way to end off TURF 2016. Now I just can't wait for next year.

Here are some of my favourite tunes from their club show setlist:

"Dancehall Domine"


"Moves"

"Sing Me Spanish Techno"

"The Laws Have Changed"

"The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism"


"Use It"


"Mass Romantic"

"The Bleeding Heart Show"

"Brill Bruisers"


"Twin Cinema"

"Challengers"