Toronto – Just like early 2000′s alt metal one hit wonder Staind once said, “it’s been awhile” since we have done one of these articles. It’s also been awhile since there’s been a host of good shows to write about. It all ends this week, as concert season once again begins, coinciding with the inevitable return of fall and a new gaggle of fresh young nubile college kids ready to find themselves.
Here are the shows that have us interested this week.
Miami Horror/Empire of the Sun
Sound Academy, September 13
Facebook Event Page
Despite absolutely hating the Sound Academy for all it’s worth, I will once again venture into the heart of darkness on Tuesday night, only to be illuminated by the visual and audio barrage provided by one Empire of the Sun. Considering their debut album Walking On A Dream was released in 2008, it has been a long time coming for the Australian duo to make their Canadian debut. For those wondering, Empire of the Sun is indeed a duo again with Nick Littlemore returning to the band this summer. A new album is due out soon, which I am sure will please fans such as myself. What can you say about an Empire of the Sun show? It’s going to be a visual playground and it will also be nice to see the songs we all know and love – Walking On A Dream, Half Mast, etc. performed live. Easily the show of the week.
Standing On The Shore by WalkingOnADream
Not to be outdone, opening for Empire of the Sun is another popular Australian synth-pop group. Miami Horror put on an amazing show at the Mod Club earlier this year and their record Illumination is one of my favorite albums of the year. It’s light, breezy and full of dance-able hooks and choruses. Fans going to the show should make it a point to see these guys.
Holidays by Miami Horror (Official)
Active Child/Chad Valley
September 13, Garrison
It seems like Active Child has been in and out of Toronto many times lately, but Wednesdays headlining slot at the Garrison marks the first time the band will be in town since the release of their stellar debut record You Are All I See (released August 23rd off Vagrant Records) . A project of one Pat Grossi, Active Child’s choir boy sounds meets electro meets slow jam r&b has garnered much recognition these past few weeks, so this is surely one of the more buzzed shows of the week. Check out these tracks.
Active Child – Playing House (Ft. How To Dress Well) by Vagrant Records
Active Child – Hanging On (White Sea Remix) by Vagrant Records
Opening for Chad Valley is the solo project of Hugo Manuel, frontman for Oxford based Jonqui, a band we thoroughly enjoyed in Austin earlier this year for SXSW. He recently released the EP Equatorial Ultravox, a synth drenched sun soaked ep featuring a song called Fast Challenges, a track we quite like. Should be a good double bill to put you in the right mood approaching the weekend.
Two Doors Cinema Club/Bombay Bicycle Club
September 17, Kool Haus
Facebook Event Page
Did you enter our contest?
Saturday’s Kool Haus show will mark what I believe to be the third time that Ireland’s Two Door Cinema Club has been in Toronto. Each time the venues have gotten bigger so you can probably guess the band’s trajectory over the next few visits. There’ll be a steady dose of girl friendly indie pop tunes high on the fun and light scale. Opening for them will be another “club” band, England’s Bombay Bicycle Club. The band recently released a more rock inclined third album titled A Different Kind of Fix which I mistakenly tried to review along sides a Drums album last week. Probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever written and that’s saying something. The two bands should provide you with your hit of up and coming Commonwealth based bands for the near future. Both are bright, young and talented, something you probably are not, so just live vicariously through them as you witness your own mortality approaching.
Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
There you have it, go see something. It’s better than hiding out in Yorkville with binocular in hand waiting for a glimpse of George Clooney or Megan Fox or something.
- http://ikdk.blogspot.com/ josh