SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK 2017 – PHASE 2

Canadian Music Week 2017 – Phase 2

Toronto, Ontario

April 18-22, 2017

Keeping the CMW momentum going, Toronto!  There was so much to see and do this week we had to designate a second CMW post!  Here’s Phase 2 of the Spill Magazine extended coverage of the 2017 Canadian Music Week festivities!

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Matt Mays @ Lee’s Palace

(Article by Morgan Harris)

It was admittedly a tepid start to Matt May’s headlining set at Lee’s Palace. The singer/songwriter admitted he’d been battling a cold all day and it was evident in the way he hung precariously close to his microphone for the first third of his set. The sold out crowd however was not going to let a case of the seasonall flu get in the way of enjoying the show. After a particularly moving performance of “Chase the Light” in which Mays sang a duet with the crowd, the man seemed to be re-energized.  From that moment on Mays seemed to move 100 miles a minute. Feeding off the energy of the crowd, which only grew as the energy on stage built. When he’s on top of his game, as he often is, Mays is second to none. A show stopper of a performer just as comfortable doing his best Springsteen impression as he is releasing his inner punk. It may have taken a while for the band to find their feet, but once they did, it was a show for the ages. It was loud, sweaty and fun. Exactly what you would expect from the nation’s premiere Rocker.

Wildlife @ Lee’s Palace

(Article by Morgan Harris)

It’s hard to find a more energetic stage show than this Toronto based group. Singer Dean Povinsky made sure to get all the concerts goers away from the bar and into the pit. It helps that Wildlife write some of the catchiest songs imaginable. Even first time listeners were able to sing along after hearing the chorus once or twice. Clearly Wildlife love playing for their fans and, more importantly, their soon to be fans. Povinsky spent so much time running back and forth across his stage he was drenched in sweat by the second song. Exactly what you want to see at a rock show. While most of the audience might have been their for Matt Mays, by the time Wildlife had finished their set, they had an entire new group of fans excited to dive deep into their catalogue.

All Hands On Jane @ Cherry Cola’s

(Article by Morgan Harris)

“Hey do you want to see an all female punk/ blues band play a tiny club tonight?”

If the answer to that question is ever “No” cut that person out of your life. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.

All Hands on Jane play loud and they play hard. And it shouldn’t be any other way. They’re the kind of band that makes events like CMW so special. It’s a chance to discover new bands and new genres that otherwise would have  slipped under the radar.

All Hands on Jane sound like the bastard child of Broody Doll and the Black Keys. Playing to a packed late night crowd at Cherry Cola’s, their energetic stage presence helped give the crowd enough energy to keep going until the extended last call.

Hollerado @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre

(Article by Morgan Harris)

Show me someone who says they don’t enjoy a Hollerado concert and I’ll show you a liar. The Canadian indie rock group put so much energy into their sets that it’s almost impossible to not enjoy. With every performance they put their hearts on their sleeves for the whole audience to see. It was no different with Hollerado’s closing set at The Indies. Fresh off the release of their latest album Born Yesterday the group was able to sprinkle in a few new tracks alongside their biggest hits. New or old, it didn’t matter to the crowd, they loved it all the same. Hollerado are fun to dance to, and easy to sing along with, two key ingredients to a successful show. Adding a cover of the Dire Strait’s classic “Money For Nothing” is a sure way to make certain the crowd leaves the building with smiles on their faces.

54-40 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre

(Article by Morgan Harris)

The Indies brought out veteran rockers 54-40 to show the newest generation of indie stars exactly how it’s done. It wasn’t a long set, barely half an hour long. But it didn’t have to be a long set. The pedigree and prestige 54-40 brought with them helped elevate the entire event. 54-40 are pros. They know exactly what the fans want to hear from them in a unique setting like this. Playing hits like “I Go Blind” and “Ocean Pearl” gave the crowd a chance to sing along to some hits that have been staples on Canadian Radio for decades. But they also had a few surprises in store, playing some new tracks off of their upcoming album, giving the 54-40 fans a special treat. The set was exactly what it needed to be, a fun nostalgia trip and a great way for The Indies to honour the history of Canadian indie music.

The Wooden Sky @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre

(Article by Morgan Harris)

The Wooden Sky were given a brief set to play between the award presentations at The Indies, and they made sure to use it to their full advantage. The alt-folk group were there mostly to promote their latest release Swimming in Strange Waters so the set was limited to almost exclusively new songs. Luckily, from what was heard during the performance, the new album sounds great. They may not have the biggest following in Toronto yet, but this is clearly a band on the rise. Playing events like the Indies is only allowing their fan base to grow and the shows are getting larger and larger. They’re not the kind of band that the crowd dances wildly with, The Wooden Sky are much more reflective. The focus of the audience is on nothing but the band on stage and the music. And when that music is as good as The Wooden Sky, that’s never a bad thing.

Texas King @ Adelaide Hall

(Article by Morgan Harris)

This is a band that needs to be seen to be believed. Hailing from London Ontario, these rockers might be small now, but give it time and they’ll be headlining events like CMW. Imagine if Brian Fallon and the Gaslight Anthem didn’t take themselves so seriously. Larger than life frontman Jordan MacDonald brings a unique presence to the stage. The whole crowd hangs off of his every word. Clearly their music has tapped into something special as the audience was singing along to almost every song. If this is the future of Canadian indie music it’s clear the future is in good hands. They’re a group of friends playing music they love like they’ve got nothing to lose. And if they can keep it up soon everyone will be singing along with them.

Ada Dahli @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Before The Flood @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Faith Healer @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Jay Kipps Band @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Krief @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Luka @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Midnight Shine @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Miesha & The Spanks @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Waves That Stray @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Zoobombs @ The 3rd Annual CMW Backyardigans – The House Of Wayward Women
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Too Many Zooz @ The Mod Club Theatre
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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The Foreign Resort @ The Hideout
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Beautiful Nothing @ The Hideout
(Photos by Susana Meza)

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Texas Kings @ Adelaide Hall
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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La Trouble @ Adelaide Hall
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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The Honest Heart Collective @ Adelaide Hall
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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All Hands On Jane @ Cherry Cola’s
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Kasador @ Lee’s Palace
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Wildlife @ Lee’s Palace
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Matt Mays @ Lee’s Palace
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Dead Heavens @ Lee’s Palace
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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The Sadies @ Lee’s Palace
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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The Dandy Warhols @ Lee’s Palace
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Blve Hills @ Smiling Buddha
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Probably Raymond @ The Painted Lady
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Sun K @ The Dakota Tavern
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Goodnight, Sunrise @ The Hideout
(Photos by Morgan Harris)

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Canadian Music Week Links