Ellie Goulding @ The Phoenix

Ellie Goulding @ The Phoenix

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Opening group: The Knocks

___Beginning the night's festivities were The Knocks. According to NME Magazine, this New York duo is one of the "20 hottest producers in music right now". After hearing their set, I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. It's been done before... I'm over it. They were like a reincarnated Chromeo without the guitar (huge element) and 10 years of knowing how to rock. Without completely trampling their set, they did get the crowd moving... Which as a headliner is all you could ask for, right? Well they did their job, I just think their music is best enjoyed via mp3.

___Now because this was an all ages event, it didn't take long for Ms. Ellie Goulding to appear on stage. Beginning her set with "Under The Sheets", fans who waited outside for more than 8 hours finally had nothing more to count down to. Her voice was stupendous, so delicate yet incredibly powerful. She also had a very sexy way of moving around, girl can really move her hips! Her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" was special, but my favourites included "The Writer" and "Lights" and "Starry Eyed". Oh, and did I mention her band was really good looking It was a fun show to watch, and I expect big things from this Brit's Critic Choice winner! I mean following acts like Florence Welch and Adele... you have to be some kind of talented, yes?

Footage of Ellie Goulding at the Phoenix taken from Madchesterstonerose.

Louder Than That asked Ellie, what is your all time favourite Record?

Ellie Goudling: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Thanks Ellie for your time and a great show! :D

Cold War Kids @ The Phoenix

Cold War Kids @ The Phoenix
Friday, March 18, 2011
Opening group: The Balconies
Picture taken from Amanda Fotes

Ottawa's act The Balconies opened the show with infectious energy which had the crowd moving from the very beginning. Vocalist Jacquie's name echoed amongst the crowd as she stole the hearts of a great majority of Torontonian Cold War Kids fans. I didn't have much of a chance to hear their entire set, but from the crowd's feedback, it was a good show. Definitely a need to look out for this year in Canadian music! Check out The Balconies on their Myspace, click here!

Showing up around 11PM, Cold War Kids started their set with "Royal Blue". Fans crowded the stage with gleaming faces and cheers. It was such a great song to start off with, so lively and dance worthy. Nathan was absolutely brilliant. His voice is just so god damn sexy. I also really enjoyed his hand gestures (see photo). Best songs were definitely "Cold Toes on Cold Floors", "Hospital Beds", "Mexican Dogs", and "Hang me up to Dry". Truthfully, the set list was pretty solid and I enjoyed every song! The best part of the night was the atmosphere. It almost didn't matter what they decided to play, the crowd was digging everything! They were amazing, and I would 100% see them again!

Video Footage taken from TheTheFisherKing



5 of 50 with Nathan of Cold War Kids
#19- Name a song that reminds you of your teenage years.
Nathan: We just went to go get Sushi down the street and they were playing the craziest mix of just Guns and Roses... Sweet child of mine was playing and I think that reminds me of being 13 and like riding bikes

#33- What has been your greatest musical find on tour?
Nathan: We've toured a bunch with umm... lets see there are so many... Elvis Perkins in Deer Land and they have a couple albums out and we've toured with them a bunch and they're fabulous I really like them . (Check out their Myspace, click here)

#37- What would you consider the best album of 2010?
Nathan: It's always so hard when you don't have the iPod handy... i love the Kanye West album... I like the Arcade fire album a lot... The National album... I don't know those are very typical one but I love all those a lot

#45- What's the one song that if it were to go on you would go crazy and dance around?
Nathan: You know the Jay Z album that was like his black album but it was remastered into the Grey album ... He mixed the Jay Z album with the Beatles White album and it was the Grey album? It always makes me go crazy.

#39- What's the most played song on your iPod?
Nathan: I'd have to guess... let me think about it... What is a song I listen to a lot... It always changes... Um this is so hard... lets say Tom Waits - Innocent when you dream

Last words to your fans: I don't know that much about Toronto, I wish we could go around and see more...and explore music.

Thank you Nathan for your time, and keep up the good work! :D

Autoerotique @ The Mod Club / Kate Nash @ The Phoenix

Autoerotique @ The Mod Club

November 12, 2010

It wasn't anything too special. I definitely enjoyed their set in Guelph a lot more! I think it was because there were a lot more annoying people there this time. Aka these people you see dancing on the stage... Nobody is here to see you weirdos!! Also I don't think they brought anything to the table I haven't heard before. It felt like a very typical night at the Mod Club, which isn't bad, but it is $10 dollars cheaper. Check out this recording of them to see what i'm talking about.

Kate Nash @ The Phoenix

November 13, 2010.

She was great! Full of energy and her regulary cute self! The last time I saw her was earlier this year and she didn't play much of her old stuff but this time around she made room for all of my favourite Made of Bricks songs! Her set was prettier and she was far more outgoing! Also the turnout was a lot greater than her last show. She also made sure to meet the fans waiting outside afterwards. Good job Kate, I enjoyed myself! :)

Kate & I afterwards. :)

Matt & Kim @ The Phoenix

Matt & Kim @ The Phoenix

October 29, 2010

They were LIVE. I definitely don't think I prepared for the rowdy-ness of the night. Jordan and I were front row and by the end of the show the people around us were all different. We pretty much held on to the bars with our lives! It was so much fun! :D The fans were a little annoying at the beginning, but it's the type of thing you expect from all ages shows, heh heh heh. Anyhow, they played an amazing set and Kim was absolutely amazing! She got past the baracades and trusted the fans to carry both her feet in the air... Like Jesus effin Christ YOU CRAZY WOMAN! It was amazing.