NXNE 2019: Vypers at Lee's Palace - Concert Photos

Vypers were third up on the Lee’s Palace stage for an NXNE showcase. They played tunes that were bombastic and intense with a groove that got lots of people up front dancing.

Also on the bill were Pottery, Brenda and The Fame. Click through to check out my photos of their sets.

Here are some Vypers tunes:

"My Girl"

"Reaper"

NXNE 2019: Brenda at Lee's Palace - Concert Photos

Brenda is a Toronto psych garage rock band who played Lee’s Palace as part of an NXNE showcase. I was impressed with their heavy, progressive tunes that kept things interesting with tempo and dynamic shifts. Brenda has a unique take on classic sounds, making music that's truly their own.

Also on the bill were Pottery, Vypers and The Fame. Click through to check out my photos of their sets.

Check out some music from Brenda:

"Children"

NXNE 2019: The Fame at Lee's Palace - Concert Photos

Toronto indie-rock band The Fame were first up on stage at Lee’s Palace for an NXNE showcase.

They play good, solid rock / power pop tunes. They included a cover of The Who's "My Generation" in along with their original music. I liked their grooves and big choruses. Check out a couple of tunes below.

Also on the bill were Pottery, Vypers and Brenda. Click through to check out my photos of their sets.

"Cherry Lipstick"

"Wide Awake"

Chvrches at Rebel - Concert Photos

The addictive Chvrches track "The Mother We Share" is where it started for me, as with so many others. The tune is so incredible, and then the band just kept creating more and more amazing tunes. And as they let us into their world, we see such kind, positive, inspiring and empowering people. It's no secret that Chvrches are one of my favourite bands.

This show Sunday night at Rebel was the band's third stop in Toronto on the Love is Dead tour and their growing popularity showed in the bigger venue and the associated bigger crowd at this show. It's so nice to see such a diverse and growing crowd at a show by such a great band. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed that there were a lot more families with small children at this show. Always great to see families enjoying music together.

Chvrches always put on a great show and this performance was no different. Their music and Lauren Mayberry's stage presence always impress and keep me riveted throughout their set. This time out, it felt like they stepped up the light show with the wall of spotlights behind them and the strong lights that twisted and filled the larger venue.

The set spanned the band's discography and had the crowd dancing throughout the show. It was the final tune, "Never Say Die", that seemed to get the biggest singalong.

If you want, check out my photos of Chvrches from the previous shows I've photographed at Yonge-Dundas Square for NXNE, at The Danforth Music Hall in 2018 and at The Danforth Music Hall in 2015.

Speedy Ortiz did a great job opening up this show. Check out my photos of their set here.

And here are a bunch of Chvrches tracks from the band's setlist.

"Get Out"

"Miracle"

"Recover"

"Leave a Trace"

"Clearest Blue"

"The Mother We Share"

Speedy Ortiz at Rebel - Concert Photos

Sometimes the universe delivers exactly what you need. During Sunday night's concert at Rebel featuring Speedy Ortiz opening for Chvrches, singer/guitarist/songwriter Sadie Dupuis told us that it was going to be her birthday on Monday and that she wanted to come to one of her favourite cities, Toronto, to celebrate. Then they got the call to join Chvrches on this leg of the tour that brought them straight to, you've guessed it by now, Toronto.

Well, happy birthday, Sadie, and hope you had a great time playing for the crowd at Rebel.

This was my third time seeing Speedy Ortiz so I knew the songs well and knew I'd have a good time. I love their 90s-influenced alternative rock tunes. The band played tunes new and older in a fun set that I'm sure garnered them some new fans. They're celebrating not just Sadie's birthday, but also the release of their most recent album, Twerp Verse, which you can get right now.

Check out my photos from the last couple of times I saw them at The Horseshoe Tavern in 2018 and at The Horseshoe Tavern in 2015.

Check out my photos of Chvrches from this show right here.

Check out some tunes from Speedy Ortiz from their set:

"Lean In When I Suffer"

"Lucky 88"

"Raising the Skate"

"The Graduates"

"I'm Blessed"

"Villain"

"Swell Content"