Review by: Alica
Photography by: David Thai
The audience at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver last night got to see three great bands. It was a great show full of either chill out tunes or technified jungle beats and maraca madness.
Newcomer Holly Miranda (above) hit the stage in the most underwhelming manner. First, no one knew, or at least I didn’t, that there was another act aside from The xx and Friendly Fires. Second, no one noticed that Holly had taken to the stage. People probably thought she was a sound check girl but then the lights dimmed and she started playing. Lastly, don’t judge a book by its cover. The girl can sing. She sounds like a mix between Feist and Adele. In fact, I would like to hear her sing some blues because her voice has the right kind of sultriness to it.
I had no idea who she was, only found out when I hit up the merchandise table to ask. All I know is her name, that she’s from Brooklyn, that she just released her first EP, and that she’s going to be very successful. Check her out at www.hollymiranda.com
Shortly after Miranda graced us with her presence, The xx took to the stage. Not going to lie, although I like them and could listen to their album on repeat, their set wasn’t the most exciting. I guess you can’t expect much from a group that plays super chill music. With that said their live set sounded incredible, great to listen to with a group of friends and chill out to.
I was quite surprised to see how many people were at the Commodore. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Commodore that packed. Despite being a newer band (they only released their first full-length album in August) The xx have made quite the name for themselves. I know their album, xx, is going to be on many people’s top ten of 2009.
The best song of their set, and the last, was “Infinity”. The rhythm and beat to the song were incredible; the song was play-the-song-on-repeat kind of good.
After what seemed like a ridiculously long sound check, the Friendly Fires took to the stage. Where these guys get their energy, I have no idea but I’d like some, please and thanks.
Their last Vancouver show was crazy. Aside from the tiny stage they jammed on at Richards on Richards, their encore was full of crazy antics. I remember their sound last year being more Indie-Punk based. At the show last night, their sound was more Jazz-infused, technified Indie-Punk. Does that make sense? Anyways, they were awesome.
They opened with “Love Sick” and within seconds of starting it they were all girating. Yes, girating. By the second song, lead singer Ed Macfarlane was already drenched in sweat. In “Photo Booth” Macfarlane sings something about “you and me in a photo booth”…honestly honey, you shouldn’t be in such small spaces. With the movements you make you’re only going to give yourself a concussion which will end the photo booth party and then no ones getting any. I’ll leave the “any” open to interpretation.
Highlights of the FF’s set were “Lovesick” with it’s jazzy-fiesta-technified- jungle-beat sound, “Kiss Of Life” which made me wish I was head banging, elbow jerking, and hip shaking with all the people around me, and “Paris” which drove the crowd insane. I honestly haven’t seen an audience that pumped in a long time. It was refreshing. If you want to see an awesome band, be part of an awesomely energized crowd, and shake what your mama gave ya all at the same time, check out the Friendly Fries.
For tour dates check out:
Friendly Fires MySpace: www.myspace.com/friendlyfires
The xx MySpace: www.myspace.com/thexx
Holly Miranda MySpace: www.myspace.com/hollymiranda
Friendly Fires Set List
Lovesick
Jump In The Pool
Skeleton Boy
In The Hospital
White Diamonds
Strobe
Kiss Of Life
Photo Booth
On Board
Paris
Encore
Ex Lover
Holly Miranda Photo Gallery:
The xx Photo Gallery:
Friendly Fires Photo Gallery:
November 27th, 2009 at 11:09 am
the crowd really killed the XX’s set – the vast majority of people were chatting at top volume. and then, after ruining song after song with valley girl gossip & jock boy huffing, they clap in between songs?! wtf? lemmings.
agreed, tho, the xx have that sound and live they nailed it, when you could hear them.