SPILL LIVE REVIEW: SKYDIGGERS @ THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL, TORONTO

SKYDIGGERS

@ THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL, TORONTO

DECEMBER 22, 2023

“It’s not really the holidays until Skydiggers play their Christmas show.” That statement was heard in various forms, as the veteran Toronto roots outfit prepared to hit the stage in front of a hometown crowd, at the venerable Danforth Music Hall. Faithful fans were out in full force to celebrate what has become an annual event. What started out years ago as a multiple-night run of shows at the Horseshoe Tavern, has morphed into a single night of holiday music and fun at the Danforth.

Fun was definitely key to the proceedings, as Skydiggers presented a diverse set of tunes from their decades-long career, peppered with new takes on old songs, some tasty covers, and plenty of musical guests throughout the night.

Starting things off simply and quietly with their version of The Pretenders’ seasonal hit “2000 Miles,” the band had kicked in strong by the end of that song, and never looked back. With a tight, full sound from the band, which included guest violinist/trumpeter Daniel Lapp from Victoria, there were too many stellar moments to mention, throughout the evening.

The show included classic songs from their back catalogue like “A Penny More”, “Feel You Closer”, and “Horseshoe Bay”, as well as more recent releases such as “Church Bells Ringing”, and “Employee of the Myth”. The always energetic and eccentric frontman Andy Maize kept things rolling throughout, with solid support from co-founder guitarist/singer Josh Finlayson. The entire band shone: vocalist Jessy Bell Smith, pianist/accordionist Michael Johnston, bassist Derrick Brady, drummer Noel Webb, lead guitarist Aaron Comeau, and organ/keys player Jeff Heisholt. All musicians were featured at various points throughout the night, giving wonderful performances to the appreciative audience.

The list of musical guests was as varied as it was lengthy: singer-songwriter Ansley Simpson; vocalist, instrumentalist and podcaster Jane Gowan; Toronto singer-songwriter, former M.P. and CIMA president Andrew Cash; Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies; Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, and his son, solo singer-songwriter Devin Cuddy. The guests, and the songs just kept on coming. Standout performances included Jessy Bell Smith’s powerful bluesy take on former Skydigger Peter Cash’s “Ramblin’ On”, Kevin Hearn’s deft and sensitive take on the Psychedelic Furs’ “Heaven”, Jim Cuddy’s duet with Bell Smith on The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York”, and a three-trumpet assault by Maize, Lapp, and Gowan on “Come To My Senses”.

There were so may outstanding moments to this show, that no recap or review could truly give it justice. After an amazing night of music, the band came back for an encore, closing with their perennial holiday favourite, “Good King Wenceslas”. Introducing the song, Maize said, “It’s a song about looking out for those less fortunate than ourselves. We need to do a better job at looking out for the less fortunate.” In his final words before the band left the stage, Maize said, “Thanks for coming back every year. If you come back, we’ll come back.”

It’s not really the holidays until Skydiggers play their Christmas show.

(Photography by Ian MacCready)

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