Feist @ Hammerstein Ballroom in 2008 (more by Bao Nguyen)

Tickets go on sale at 10am for Feist's Radio City Music Hall show (we're also giving away a pair of tickets). The NYC show is part of a tour which also now includes Sasquatch which announced its full lineup Thursday night.

"Following last year's 10th anniversary, which crushed previous attendance records and set a new mark for the speed with which tickets sold out, the Sasquatch! Music Festival unveils its 2012 lineup which once again features 4 days of music. The festival, hailed as "a model of well-paced programming...in a four-day schedule as efficient and natural feeling as an expertly built algorithm" by NPR Music while Wired notes, "leave the landscape out of it and Sasquatch! has a lineup to kill for," runs May 25-28 (Memorial Day Weekend) at The Gorge, the internationally acclaimed concert venue carved in the basalt cliffs high above the Columbia River Gorge in Quincy, WA."

The Sasquatch! Music Festival takes place, as usual, at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington over Memorial Day weekend (May 25-28). And this year's lineup is:

Continue reading "Sasquatch! 2012 lineup announced (Bon Iver, Jack White, Beck, Tenacious D, Shins, Portlandia, Spiritualized & more) "

Feist at BAM in 2011 (more by Ryan Barkan)

As mentioned, Feist has an upcoming NYC show at Radio City on May 5. Tickets for that show are on AmEx presale now and go on sale to the general public on Saturday (2/4) at 10 AM. We're also giving away a pair of tickets to the show. Details on how to enter the contest are below.

It's since been announced that the show is part of an entire North American tour, which also includes Stubb's and Coachella. All dates are listed below.

Feist also has a new video for "The Bad In Each Other," off 2011's Metals. The video was directed by Martin de Thurah, who has also recently directed videos for James Blake. Watch it below.

Continue reading "Feist announced more dates & a new video; WIN TIX to the NYC show (which is on sale now)"

Feist at BAM in 2011 (more by Ryan Barkan)

Feist has a huge international tour on the way, including Australian dates this weekend and into February, followed by a number of European dates during March, some of which will be supported by M. Ward (who has his own upcoming tour). She'll work her way back to North American in April when she plays the sold out Coachellas, and has just announced another show happening on this side of the Atlantic at NYC's Radio City on May 5. It's her only other US date announced at the moment. Tickets go on sale Saturday, 2/4 at 10 AM.

In other news, she recently was interviewed by The Weekly Feed, where she talked about 2011's Metals, jamming with fellow Canadians Sloan, and her upcoming split 7" with Mastodon, which will feature each artist covering the other. She's still not sure which song she's picking but promised via twitter that "if people are expecting a cute twee cover of a metal song they have a big surprise comin." Here's what she said to The Weekly Feed about the project:

Oh my god, what a task. What an insurmountable mountain to try to cover Mastodon. We're working on it right now and I'm trying to figure out what song even. I haven't figured that out even yet. But yeah, I hugely admire them and I kind of come from that world. That's where I cut my teeth when I was 15/16 going to metal shows, and in my first band our guitar player probably would've wanted to be in Mastodon if Mastodon had existed at the time, you know? So it definitely speaks to me. When I saw them play on Jools Holland, that's how I was first introduced to them. We played that television show in England together and it just went right to my bones, and after the show we kind of had this, "oh man we should something!" you know? Which didn't seem like it was gonna happen, but now it seems like it's gonna happen, they announced it on MTV so now it's happening.

You can listen to the entire interview below.

Also below is a stream of Beck's remix of Metals single, "How Come You Never Go There," which you can also purchase at iTunes.

All dates and streams below...

Continue reading "Feist playing Radio City Music Hall (and other stuff)"

Radiohead @ Roseland Ballroom in 2011 (more by Bao Nguyen)

Coachella which is taking place over the course of two weekends this year (April 13-15 and 20-22) revealed their 2012 lineup. Last week, Azealia Banks was the first artist confirmed, and earlier today they confirmed The Weeknd (maybe he found a band?), and before that, Jimmy Cliff, Breakbot, and Housse De Racket. The reunited Pulp then announced itself. The full lineup also includes headliners The Black Keys, Radiohead, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, not to mention, as predicted, the reunited At the Drive In and the reunited Mazzy Star (!), and Madness and Refused (!) and Jeff Mangum and many, many more that you can see below...

Continue reading "Coachella 2012 lineup announced (two weekends worth)"

by BBG

Mastodon at Terminal 5 (more by Greg Cristman)

Troy Sanders has revealed that Mastodon will team with Feist to work on a split 7" for Record Store Day 2012. The split 7", which was her idea, will feature each band covering the other. You can check out Troy discussing it with MTV News Canada below. No word on if Feist will follow-up said 7" with a split with Cock & Ball Torture, but we'll keep you informed.

Mastodon, who recently headlined Terminal 5, released one of Decibel's favorite albums of the year, though Feist's recently released "Metals" did not make the list (it didn't make Rough Trade's list either).

That video with Mastodon tour dates below...

Continue reading "Mastodon & Feist to share a split 7" for Record Store Day?"

Sebadoh @ MusicFestNW 2011 (more by Autumn Andel)

today in NYC
* NY Comedy Festival
* MGMT @ Guggenheim Museum
* Martha Wainwright @ City Winery
* Prince Rama @ Issue Project Room
* Steven Wilson @ Best Buy Theater
* Sebadoh, Mazes, Risk/Reward @ Maxwell's
* Scott Amendola, Charlie Hunter @ The Stone
* Absu, Infernal Stronghold, Villains @ Europa
* Plaid, Gamelan Dharma Swara @ Le Poisson Rouge
* AIDS Wolf, Unicorn Hardon, DJ Dog Dick @ 92YTribeca
* Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bonerama @ Terminal 5
* The Liz, Supersonic Piss, Alien Whale @ Death By Audio
* Bubbles, Nils Bech, J. Penry (DJ set) @ Santos Party House
* ARMS, Hospitality, Franz Nicolay, The Building @ Glasslands
* Blue Scholars, Bambu, The Physics, Gen.Erik @ Bowery Ballroom
* Kurt Vile & the Violators, Widowspeak, The Young @ Webster Hall
* Slowdance, Ava Luna, Phonetag, Rifle Recoil, Zula @ 285 Kent Ave
* None More Eleven: A Spinal Tap Appreciation Event @ The Rock Shop
* Anenzephalia, Pharmakon, Omei, Kama Rupa, Lussuria @ Public Assembly
* Frontier Ruckus, Hold Your Horses!, Lady Lamb The Beekeeper @ Littlefield
* Corsair, Mainland, American Darlings, Moonmen On The Moon, Man @ Cake Shop
* Girl in a Coma, The Coathangers, Clinical Trials, Sunday Masquerade @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Matthew Dear, Spinoza, Jacques Renault, Donor(Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival) @ Public Assembly
* Reggie Watts, Eclectic Method, Babe Rainbow, Beacon, Dominique Keegan(Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival) @ Cameo Gallery
* Schlachthofbronx, Dubble Dutch, Dre Skull, Shawn Reynaldo, Matt Shadetek, NIKKO(Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival) @ Zablotski's
* Gino Washington, Andre Williams, Melvin Davis, Reigning Sound, Jackie & The Cedrics(Norton Records 25th Anniversary) @ The Bell House
* Fischerpooner (DJ set), Diamond Rings, Cubic Zirconia, Party Supplies, Decades, Doldrums(Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Daedelus, Ander, Comandante Zero, PROGRAMS, Sarah Dahnke/Round Tuit Dance Project, tehn, n0izmkr(In/Out 2011: Digital Performance Festival) @ Knitting Factory

Feist and friends performed on Kimmel. Videos below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Friday?"

words & photos by Ryan Barkan

Feist played the Howard Gilman Opera House at BAM Wednesday night (11/2). It was the show that needed quadruple confirmation back in August. It was her first proper New York show since 2008, though a lucky few caught her play a surprise show in crypt in Harlem exactly one month ago.

After a surprisingly great (to me, first time seeing them) opening set by The Happiness Project, fronted by fellow BSS member Charles Spearin, Feist and friends took the stage around 9pm. They played a long, two-hour set leaning heavily on material from the newly-released Metals in addition to fun classics from way back, and the witty banter we have all grown to love. Highlights from the set include a skull-faced crowd member being invited up to the stage by Feist for a lively, dancey "My Moon My Man," new tracks like "The Bad In Each Other" and "How Come You Never Go There," and the gorgeous backing vocals of Mountain Man.

The encore brought a bundle of goodness so...good...that it was hard for Feist not to affirm that we made her not want to wait three years to come back again. Feist and Mountain man silenced the crowd with a stunning rendition of "Cicadas and Gulls". It's amazing how powerful four voices, one instrument, and one simple song can be in bringing a room to quiet admiration. Probably my favorite moment of the night. The rest of the band joined for a 50's version of "Bittersweet Melodies," and "Sealion," the latter seeing the stage surrounded by a hundred or so audience members invited up by Feist. Whistling ensued, Feist wore a hat, folks sat, lots of devices were taking photos and video. The coda of the evening came with a gripping rendition of 2005's "Let It Die."

More pictures from the show below...

Continue reading "Feist played BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House (pics, review)"

The observant Dan Mangan sees a bird flying around the photo studio

Fans of Arts & Crafts are in for a night of good jams, with (ex-A&C-ers) Stars at Music Hall of Williamsburg (with North Highlands) and an early show with Dan Mangan at Mercury Lounge (with Icewater), both going down in NYC TONIGHT (10/11). If you're just making the decision to try and do both, I hope you have your tickets to Stars already, though tickets for Dan Mangan are still available, Stars is sold out. Mangan welcomed his new LP Oh Fortune, which hit stores on 9/27 and is streaming in full below. All of his tour dates are down there too.

In related news, Zeus recently posted "Are You Gonna' Waste My Time?", the new song (streaming below) from their forthcoming A&C release due in early 2012. Zeus has dates scattered across October and into December, including an East Coast tour that will stop in Brooklyn at Knitting Factory on 11/16 supporting Sam Roberts Band. Tickets are on sale. All dates are below.

Feist's Metals is out now. The chanteuse took a few minutes out of her crypt-performing schedule to post a few songs which are streaming below. Catch Feist in a goth-in-a-different-way venue when she plays Howard Gilman Opera House on 11/2. "Very limited availability remains" for tickets, so call 718-636-4100 for more details.

All tour dates and song streams are below.

Continue reading "Dan Mangan & Stars are touring (not together, but both in NY) -- Zeus coming soon (dates, song streams & stuff)"

Feist @ Church of the Intercession on Monday (more by Jessica Amaya)

Bjork's new album Biophilia is now streaming in full at NPR.

Feist, like she did in a Harlem church, played Letterman backed by Mountain Man last night. Watch below...

Continue reading "new Bjork album streaming, Feist played Letterman (video)"

photos Jessica Amaya

A select few were treated to a now rare intimate performance by Feist in NYC last night (10/3). The show took place in the crypt of the Church of the Intercession on 155th Street in Harlem. Feist was backed by a 16 piece orchestra who are part of the Mason Jar Music artist collective, as well as the three women from Mountain Man, fellow Broken Social Scene member Charles Spearin, a keyboard player from Beck's band, and a drummer. They orchestra performed the arrangements currently on Feist's new-out-today record Metals, as well as doing a superb original arrangement of "When I Was a Young Girl." Feist delivered a riveting, emotional performance throughout the evening and offered plenty of witty banter between songs to the 150 lucky people or so in the room. Most of those people were there because they bought the album earlier that day from Sound Fix Records.

The idea for the show, which was being filmed, came from Mason Jar Music who reached out to Feist in the hopes they could one day collaborate. Mountain Man will also be backing Feist on tour. They play Letterman with Feist tonight. Here are some pictures from the church show. They continue with the setlist below...

Continue reading "Feist & friends played a crypt in Harlem (pics & setlist)"

"I really like the parts of this new Feist record where she doesn't sound like she's singing in a church choir..." - Ivan Rosebud

Feist @ Celebrate Brooklyn 2008 (more by Chris La Putt)

Feist is playing a special show with an orchestra at 9pm in the crypt of the Church of the Intercession (550 West 155th St) in Manhattan TONIGHT (10/3). The ONLY way to get tickets to the show is to buy her new CD/LP Metals at Sound Fix in Brooklyn... starting NOW. The album comes out Tuesday, so you may need to pay for it now, get your ticket, and pick up the album at the store on Tuesday (or maybe they'll give it to you now). Tickets are extremely limited, so hurry!

UPDATE: This show will be filmed by Mason Jar Music.

Feist returns to NYC to play BAM as part of a November tour.

Mountain Man at 92YTribeca in 2010 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

It's recently been announced that Feist is taking Molly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig and Amelia Randall Meath, aka the voices of folk trio Mountain Man, on tour with her this fall as her backup singers. That tour includes the previously announced show on November 2 at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House which is now sold out. That show is being opened by Feist's Arts & Crafts labelmate and fellow Broken Social Scene member Charles Spearin's The Happiness Project.

Last week, Feist and Mountain Man previewed the tour with a secret show at the Townhouse in LA (9/3). They played five songs off Feist's upcoming LP Metals, including the lead track "How Come You Never Go There." You can watch videos of these songs, with all tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Mountain Man backing Feist on tour (dates), watch them sing new songs w/ her (videos)"

Feist @ Webster Hall 2006 (more)

As we reminded you would happen many times, Tickets went on sale today for Feist's November 2 show at BAM's Howard GIlman Opera House.

Feist has unlocked a few more teaser videos on her website since we last spoke. Head over there to check them out and stream the album's lead single, "How Come You Never Go There," below. Metals comes out October 4 via Cherrytree/Interscope.

Continue reading "Feist BAM show on sale, new song streaming"

Feist's BAM show, now quadruple confirmed, goes on sale Monday, August 15th at noon. Tickets, priced by section are $54 / $47.50 / $40, and available at BAM.org, by phone at 718-636-4100 or the BAM Box Office, 30 Lafayette Ave. Mon-Sat: 12noon - 6pm.

In related news, Feist's new album teaser video is due to be unlocked at her website today. More dates and the previous video, HERE.

Feist is continuing to reveal details to her upcoming album Metals, which will be released October 4 via Cherrytree/Interscope. Her third vignette, Metals #7, was unveiled, and her website now notes that Metals #5 will surface this Friday (8/5). Check out the new video below.

She also revealed the tracklist and full color version of the album art (above), which you were given a chance to paint yourself and enter your version into a contest on her facebook. Hipster Runoff theorizes that Feist is "planking" on the cover (or "riding plankwaves"). You can also pre-order the album starting today (8/3) at Feist's website.

As previously mentioned, and confirmed again in a press release, the 11/2 Brooklyn show at BAM seems to be CONFIRMED, though someone at BAM's box office told us it is not when we called to find out about tickets. Let us know if you have better luck.

Check out the new vignette, tracklist and updated tour dates, including European and Canadian dates below...

Continue reading "BAM claiming Feist not confirmed (but it is) -- updated tour dates, album art & new vignette too"

Promoter Bowery Presents has confirmed the existence of Feist's November 2nd show at BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, NY. Though it's not listed on BAM's website yet, the ticket info is that "Tickets are available at BAM.org, by phone at 718.636.4100 or the BAM Box Office, 30 Lafayette Street, Brooklyn, NY, Mon-Sat: 12noon-6pm. $54, $47.50, $40." More dates HERE.

Feist's upcoming album Metals will be released on October 4 via Cherrytree/Interscope. A set of November Feist tour dates appeared on the internet today via Pitchfork and they include a November 2nd show at Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn which Pitchfork has now marked as "not confirmed". Google confirms that Interscope also listed and then deleted a Feist show at the same venue. Stay tuned for more info.

UPDATE: The Brooklyn show is now confirmed.

Meanwhile check out all the dates listed below.

Continue reading "Feist playing BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House? (and other dates?)"

Feist, like the similarly ambitious Bjork, is slowly unveiling details about her upcoming album, Metals. Valgeir Sigurðsson, who has worked with Bjork, contributed production to the album, along with Feist herself and frequent collaborators Chilly Gonzales and Mocky. The album will be her first since 2007's awesome The Reminder, and will be released on October 4 via Cherrytree/Interscope. So far on Feist's website, she's unlocked two of twelve album preview videos (#1 and #3), and listed the date '8/2/11' under video #7, which is currently locked. Check out the first two videos below.

Earlier today (7/28), Feist revealed a black and white 'paint by number' version of the album artwork (see above) on her facebook with a color palette and the message, "Use the key or make your own and post on the wall here... Our faves will win something special...." Pitchfork points out the official album art will revealed on Tuesday (8/2). Meanwhiler get your Bob Ross on.

Videos below...

Continue reading "new Feist album coming; meanwhile color by number"

DOWNLOAD: Doug Paisley - "Always Say Goodbye" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Doug Paisley - "Don't Make Me Wait" featuring Leslie Feist (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Old Calf - "Peacock" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Old Calf - "Bonnie Cuckoo" (MP3)

Doug Paisley's Constant Companion; album art

Doug Paisley kicks off a string of East Coast dates in Toronto tonight, June 4th, making his way to Brooklyn to play the Rock Shop on June 8th with Old Calf aka Ned Oldham (also of The Anomoanon), the first of a string of shows that the pair will do together. Tickets are on sale for the Brooklyn show which will also feature Hans Chew.

Both Old Calf and Doug Paisley are touring behind new recorded efforts courtesy of No Quarter. Old Calf's Borrow A Horse was released in April and features both "Peacock" and "Bonnie Cockoo" available for download above. Doug Paisley's LP Constant Companion was released last year, and features guest appearances from the lovely Leslie Feist. Check out one Feist-blessed track "Don't Make Me Wait" above, alongside "Always Say Goodbye", and another Feist guesting track "What I Saw" streaming below. Side note: Doug has also collaborated with Ned's brother Will. Bonnie Prince has also covered Doug.

Though Feist has no upcoming NYC dates, her cronies in Broken Social Scene will play Williamsburg Waterfront on September 8th with TV On The Radio. Tickets are on sale.

All of Doug's tour dates and that song stream below.

Continue reading "Doug Paisley going on tour, playing shows w/ Old Calf, collaborated with Feist (dates & MP3s)"

by Andrew Sacher

London dubstep producer James Blake is a classically trained pianist who studied popular music at Goldsmiths University in London. He began his music career under the moniker Harmonimix, creating remixes of pop songs. The first and only release under the Harmonimix moniker was a single in January 2010 with a remix of Destiny's Child's "Bills Bills Bills" b/w a remix of Lil Wayne's "A Millie." He spent the rest of 2010 gaining attention with the release of three EPs under his own name, and performing as the third member of Mount Kimbie's live show, which cemented him as a strong force in the dubstep scene.

His self titled debut full length drops February 7 on ATLAS/A&M in the UK. A US release date has not been announced yet, but Blake just signed to American major label Universal Republic (UPDATE: Universal will release the album digitally on February 8). The album blends the dubstep elements he experimented with on his EPs with a range of indie rock and R&B influences, and also for the first time features James Blake on lead vocals. He often includes manipulated vocal samples, but only samples of his own voice. James Blake falls somewhere between a more minimalist version of Burial fronted by the vocal layerings of Bon Iver's "Woods," while not failing to showcase his talent as a pianist. And arguably as interesting as what you hear on this album, is what you don't hear. The album's sparse passages with little to no sound leave you listening as intently as the hypnotic vocal loops.

In addition to ten original songs, James Blake also includes a cover of Feist's "Limit To Your Love." Listen to that below. A music video was also recently released for the album's second track, "The Wilhelm Scream." You can watch that video below too. He recently performed a live session for BBC Radio (after placing second in BBC's Sound of 2011) and videos of three songs are available. Below is the video for "Wilhelm Scream." On BBC's site two other videos are available; "Lindisfarne" and his Feist cover.

Blake has been confirmed for this year's SXSW lineup, currently his only confirmed US appearance, but there are plenty of upcoming chances for those in the UK to catch him - both live and as a DJ. Mount Kimbie however is playing Le Poisson Rouge on March 24th (though I assume without James?).

We'll obviously let you know if any more US JB dates are announced. Meanwhile, all currently announced dates, videos, the album's tracklist and more stuff below...

Continue reading "James Blake"

Broken Social Scene at Central Park (more by Matthew Eisman)

Canada's Indie All-Star team, aka Broken Social Scene have dates scheduled throughout their home country this month, and will head south of the border to play NYC's Terminal 5 on January 18th. Tickets for the NYC show go on AMEX presale on 12/15 at noon and regular sale two days later. All tour dates are listed below, and so far they also include a February show in New Orleans (many more TBA?).

Feist joined Broken Social Scene Thursday night at Sound Academy in Toronto - not to sing one of her BSS songs, but to play a particularly rockin' version of her own song "I Feel It All". Video of that performance is below. They played the same song, but (according to a posted setlist) without her, at the same venue Friday night. Both setlists are below.

Speaking of Feist, she is the subject of a new documentary called Look at What the Light Did Now:

"The documentary is a backstage pass into Feist's creative process, the story of how The Reminder got made, of the oceans that were crossed, the places that were seen, and the people whose talents made it resonate. Follow Feist and her supporting cast through an impressionistic array of flickering scenery, echoing stadiums, puppet workshops, the red carpet, a crumbling French mansion, definitive concert performances and uncommonly candid interviews. Itself a part of the creative mosaic it portrays, Look At What The Light Did Now illuminates the synergy of collaboration, art as magnifying glass, and the power of trust."

Look at What the Light Did Now is on DVD now with accompanying CD. Among the many friends of Feist you'll see in the movie is Chilly Gonzales who you may have caught Saturday night at 'The Concert Hall' with Peaches. If not, you have a second chance when "Peaches Chris Superstar" hits Music Hall of Williamsburg Sunday night.

The film This Movie is Broken that (heavily) features BSS is also out now on DVD, in Canada, or via the band. The trailer for that movie is below too...

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene coming back to NYC, Feist DVD out now, both just played together in Toronto (video & dates)"

DOWNLOAD: Broken Social Scene - "All To All" (DJ Mom Jeans Remix)

The Sea & Cake

The Sea & Cake will support Broken Social Scene on their upcoming trek that will see them at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park on 9/18 (tickets). The tour pairing makes perfect sense considering Sam Prekop's (The Sea & Cake) contributions on the recent BSS record, and his new LP Old Punch Card due on 9/7 via Thrill Jockey. A recent press release also states that there is a "rumored to be a split 7" between the two bands in the works". Hmm, rumors in a press release? Look for more details on that 7" soon.

In other BSS news, the band is releasing a series of remixes for their song "All To All". So far contributions from Sebastian Grainger, DJ Mom Jeans, Jojoflores, and Skeet Skeet have emerged, with more due every week. Download one contribution above, and the rest at the remix site. The video for "All To All" (the original) is viewable below.

NYC is looking like Arts & Crafts showcasing ground for the next few days, as TONIGHT (9/1) the previously discussed The Wooden Birds / Dan Mangan tour will hit The Rock Shop (the shows was moved from Union Hall), tagging Mercury Lounge two days later (tickets).

Thursday (9/2) will see recent Mexican A&C signees Chikita Violenta play Mercury Lounge with A Great Big Pile of Leaves (tickets) as part of a larger tour that includes non-NYC dates with A&C-in-Canada labelmates Ra Ra Riot (who play NYCx4 in Sept) and Built To Spill (who play NYC Thursday).

Chikita Violenta is prepping to release their forthcoming LP for A&C, TRE3S, due in early 2011. The album was recorded in Canada with former Broken Social Scene producer Dave Newfeld. An MP3 is being given away at their site.

Last but not least, Chilly Gonzales (who will be in NYC soon with Peaches) is busy helping Feist with her new album. Feist and Gonzales both appear on Jamie Lidell's new album. Chilly's new album, Ivory Tower, is out September 14th.

All tour dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "Arts & Crafts superpost: Chikita Violenta (from Mexico), Dan Mangan & Wooden Birds (also here), Sea & the Cake w/ BSS who have remixes (touring), Sam Prekop, Feist & more"

"With a horn section behind the already several-member group, Broken Social Scene began with 'World Sick' off their new album Forgiveness Rock Record and then 'Stars And Sons,' the latter with fans clapping repeatedly on cue as six guitarists jammed out the conclusion.

However, from there things got bigger and better, with Metric's James Shaw and Pavement's Scott Kannberg helping out on the danceable 'Texico Bitches.' Then Feist made her way onstage for '7/4 (Shoreline),' dancing around the stage when not sharing vocal duties with Drew.

The only problem perhaps with the set - aside from Drew irked that his guitar pedals weren't working - was how it seemed to peak halfway through. Following the plodding, precious ballad 'Sweetest Kill,' both Feist and Metric's Emily Haines appeared for 'Sentimental X's,' which had the crowd onside from the start." [Toronto Sun]

Sebastien Grainger (DFA1979) and John McEntire (Tortoise/Sea and Cake) also joined BSS on stage on Saturday, June 19th, on Toronto's Olympic Island. The full lineup for the 2010 edition of the annual Toronto Island Concert, which wasn't officially part of NXNE (but which did let in 250 badges) looked like this:

1:15 PM Toronto Revue (The Beauties, Flash Lightnin', Zeus)
2:45PM Timber Timbre
4:00PM Beach House
5:15PM Band of Horses
6:45PM Broken Social Scene
9:00PM Pavement

I left my downtown hotel in a cab at 3pm, and though the ferry station was only a ten minute drive away, I didn't actually get to the stage area until around around 4:45. I heard Beach House as I walked up, but I never actually saw them. I wasn't worried about catching Timber Timbre because I saw them the night before in a club (more on that later), and I knew I wasn't getting there by 1:00 (after being out till 4am at NXNE shows the night before) so I didn't even try.

The weather on Saturday in Toronto was hot and beautiful and Band of Horses (who played Grand Central Station in NYC one night earlier) (and the Williamsburg Waterfront in NYC one night later) sounded great as they played out to the thousands of people who were either watching them... or waiting on line for something. Lines were definitely a problem on the island. You usually had to wait a long time for food, bathrooms and most frustratingly to many, beer.

Then came Broken Social Scene and they were in top form - it was my favorite time ever seeing them. In fact, though I've seen the band more times than I can remember over the past six years, I was never 100% comfortable with their live show before. That changed on the island. Maybe it was because they were in their hometown of Toronto with all their friends (though sadly no Jason Collett or Amy Milan who are both on tour). Feist and Emily Haines together on stage contributed strongly to the specialness (par for the course for Toronto), and Lisa Lobsinger no longer feels like the new girl.

Full setlist (and lots more pictures and some videos) below.

As painful as it was to leave while BSS was playing their last song (aka I didn't stay for Pavement), I made the decision that I was going to catch The Stooges who played a competing show at Young Dundas Square at 9:30. My trip off the island was much quicker than my trip on. I got a ferry immediately and then a cab immediately and I was 40 minutes early for Iggy. I even caught the last ten minutes of The Raveonettes who played before the Stooges on the outdoor stage which was in the middle of a Times Square-like area of town. It was a complete madhouse (a free show in the middle of town open to anyone... with Iggy Pop), but more on that later.

Andrew Frisicano was with me on the island. He missed Band of Horses but stayed for Pavement. His post on the headliner is coming later. More about BSS and Band of Horses, with a ton of pictures and some videos and both setlists, below...

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene (w/ Feist & Emily Haines) & Band of Horses opened for Pavement @ Toronto's Olympic Island - pics, video, setlists"

Andrew WK playing piano in Austin (more by Tim Griffin)

tonight in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Horse Feathers, Lay Low @ Union Hall
* Peter Gabriel @ Radio City Music Hall
* Hawks, Glooms, Descender @ Death By Audio
* Minus the Bear & Everest @ Bowery Electric
* Chris Cochrane, Rick Brown, Tetterapadequ @ Zebulon
* Night of Joy, Hideous Men, It Is It comedy @ Pianos
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Corinne Bailey Rae, Daniel Merriweather @ Webster Hall
* Twin Tigers, Gift Horse, Pacific Theater, Bird Love @ The Cameo
* Andrew W.K. (solo piano), Roadside Graves, Mon Khmer, Angel Deradoorian @ Santos Party House
* Twin Shadow, We Are Country Mice, The Naked Hearts, Total Slacker, Gray Goods @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn

Santos tonight is a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society benefit.

Ane Brun performs with Peter Gabriel tonight (and last night).

Chapterhouse's show at The Bell House tonight with Ulrich Schnauss has been canceled.

Die Antwoord have been added to the HARD Fest happening at Governors Island this summer.

Apple is shutting down LaLa.

Last week on "International Dance Day", the National Ballet School of Canada started flash mob dancing to Feist in a Toronto mall. Videos below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"