Sloan played Knitting Factory (pics, setlist, videos, review)

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin, words by Bill Pearis

“I’m going off-list!” declared guitarist Patrick Pentland a few songs into Sloan‘s set at Knitting Factory last Thursday (June 30) which was also the last night of their tour. It would not be the only time the Canadian band would deviate from their printed setlist that evening which was one of the more fun Sloan shows I’ve seen in a while.

Apart from songs from their great new album The Double Cross, the impromtu nature of the show knocked out almost everything from the band’s 2001-on catalog save Jay Ferguson’s “Who Taught You to Live Like That” from 2006’s Never Hear the End of It. Which was probably all right with a lot of fans. (I can’t think of the last time NYC got “Anyone Who’s Anyone” from Once Chord to Another.) The band was in great spirits as was the crowd who kept the constant “Sloa-oan! Sloa-oan!” chants going in between songs.

Highlights for me were the new album’s stomping “Beverly Terrace” and “Unkind,” oldies “Coax Me” (another off-list number), “C’mon C’mon,” a quite spirited “Underwelmed” and Andrew Scott’s “On the Horizon” which gave bassist Chris Murphy a chance to go apeshit (Keith Moon-style) on the drums. Sloan’s other drummer is better than most band’s main drummer. The talent in this band is kind of insane.

I missed openers and fellow Canadians Hot Kit but we have pictures from their set. After the show, Jay Ferguson (who I interviewed last week) told me Sloan will be back this fall for three shows (one being Maxwell’s they hope) if all works out. UPDATE: It all worked out (all three shows announced).

More pictures, a couple of videos & their setlist (written and actual) below….

Hot Kids

Sloan

Sloan – On the Horizon at Knitting Factory 6.30.2011

Sloan – Underwhelmed/Good in Everyone at Knitting Factory 6.30.2011

Actual Sloan Knitting Factory 6.30.2011 Setlist:
Follow the Leader
The Answer Was You
Unkind
The Marquee and the Moon
Snowsuit Sound
500 Up
Shadow of Love
Everything You’ve Done Wrong
Who Taught You to Live Like That?
Anyone Who’s Anyone
She’s Slowin’ Down Again
Something Wrong
Traces
On the Horizon
It’s Plain to See
Your Daddy Will Do
Don’t You Believe A Word
I’ve Gotta Know
Coax Me
Beverly Terrace
Losing California
People of the Sky
C’mon C’mon
Underwhelmed
The Good in Everyone
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