Holy Fuck finished up with a bang and I ducked into St. David's Church to get out of the heat, check my night's hit-list and rest the feets. Bob Wootton's Tennessee Three (Johnny Cash's old band) were about to take the stage but I was in the mood for something little less... church-like (although I later heard their set was amazing).
After the rest and armed with a honed schedule for the night, I headed to The Blind Pig NXNE rooftop party for Let's Go to War's heavy mix of electro hip hop. They had the party going and peeps movin'. High energy and loud was what I was looking for and these guys delivered. Regina's Geronimo were up next and did their part to keep levels in the red. Nice one lads..
The only glitch in scheduling I ran into the entire festival.. was trying to see BC's Alex Cuba at a little restaurant/dance studio on S. Congress Ave, they were pushed back half an hour. So I decided to take advantage of the gap and returned to my hotel to care for an annoying blister on my foot i'd been trying not to notice all afternoon..
Back on track and on my way to see Boys in a Band further down 6th, I poked my head in on the M for Montreal showcase downstairs at Maggie Mae's where Your Favourite Enemies were rockin' the 40 or so die-hards at the front of the stage. Though fighting some sound issues - the heaviosity, hair dye, and super-rock- stances collided effectively.
Finally made it down the street to catch Faroe Islands natives Boys in a Band (who I'd missed when they swept through Toronto couple weeks ago) at the small, makeshift Habana Annex. I arrived as they were still setting up, so I took a chance on an outdoor food stand with a sign reading: "Bad Ass Fajita". Later - much later - let's just say, it was.
Back inside the venue, once the guys had taken the stage, any questions I had about the venue's production or size became totally irrelevant and secondary to what was taking place musically. Boys in a Band turned it up to 11 and took the small crowd completely by surprise. Thrashing out a brilliant mix of Pixies and Iggyish energy, The Boys destroyed the notion of stage vs. audience by barreling through the venue, dueling guitars as swords and stopping the set to hug every last person in the room. Gimmicks aside, the band was great. One of my surprise highlights. After their set I talked to them about NXNE 08 - and they're in. So look for them come festival time in June. You might be glad you did.
Around the corner and up Red River i pushed through the madness to see if I could make my way into Stubb's where i remembered Alejandro Escovado was playing. Showcasing tunes form his upcoming new release, he led his band off the rails. From anthems to stripped-down acoustic.. Truly great.
Other shows:
Rooftop at Wave to see Switches. From Leeds UK - power pop new wavers had the packed-in crowd bouncing.
Devotchka at great outdoor venue Cedar St. Courtyard.. unfortunately was delayed getting there and missed out on getting in.. Joined a crowd who were listening outside (which is not abnormal here it seems) - cinematic and lush. I later learned the show as amazing.
Back at The Blind Pig to see Calgary's Woodpigeon lighten the mood mixing sweet prairie parlour pop and country to indie rock and back. Seriously. Had the late night crowd sort of square dancing. Sort of.
Then there was the single file marching band making their way through the middle of an insane scene late night on 6th st... doing their best to keep Austin weird.