Billy Talent @ Edgefest (Photo Credit: The Edge 102.1)

Everyone was wet, everyone was muddy, and nobody cared.

This year, Edgefest fell on a very rainy day. Many concert goers tried to keep dry using ponchos (often made out of garbage bags), and others went with the tried-and-true method of using an umbrella hat (which is always a stylish look). However, all attempts at keeping dry were in vain; these methods may have worked for the beginning of the day, but by the end of the concert, no one was dry or mud-free…especially not me.

The only ones who were able to keep dry were the performers who rocked the stage, which was covered to block the rain.

K-os was the first artist I saw at Edgefest. He took the stage, after what I heard was a great set by The Stills. K-os brightened up the gloomy day with a bright red hoodie that could be spotted from all over Downsview Park, as he ran around the stage, with a seemingly endless amount of energy. The crowd, who was already pumped, caught this energy, and grew more excited.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kos

Metric was the next band to play. Emily Haines put on a good show, and was looking better than ever, especially compared to the drenched audience. Although I loved seeing Metric, I was a little disappointed that they only played two old songs (Dead Disco, and Monster Hospital). I like their new music, but I would have loved to hear a couple more classics.

Haines also drew attention to the second stage, praising her “great friends,” Flash Lightning, who were playing at the same time, and encouraged people to check out some of the other bands playing that day.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/metric

After Metric concluded their set with Stadium Love, Alexisonfire got their chance to play the main stage.

I was so so so excited to see Alexisonfire for the first time, and they did not disappoint.

The set they played was great:

Young Cardinals
Boiled Frogs
We Are the Sound
No Transitory
Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints
No Rest
Accidents
This Could Be Anywhere In The World

I would have loved them to play a song or two off their first album, but all things considered, they chose 9 great songs. The band was incredibly enthusiastic, and put their all into every number. The crowd acted accordingly; moshing and jumping around nonstop. The closing song (This Could be Anywhere in the World) was amazing, but left me wanting so much more; I will definitely go and see these guys again, and I can’t wait.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alexisonfire

Then it was time for headliners Billy Talent. I was so thrilled to see this band; I’ve loved them since I was 13, and never seen them, so it was a big show for me.

All I have to say about Billy Talent’s performance is this: wow.

They played 18 songs, including an unexpected encore. The only way I can explain how great the set was is to show the set list:

Devil In a Midnight Mass
The Ex
This Suffering
Line & Sinker
Rusted From The Rain
Saint Veronika
Surrender
The River Below
The Navy Song
Pins and Needles
Perfect World
Devil On My Shoulder
Turn Your Back
This Is How It Goes
Fallen Leaves
Try Honesty
Red Flag
Nothing to Lose (encore)

Billy Talent played almost every hit, and every song I could have wished for. The crowd went absolutely berserk when they hit the stage, and didn’t stop for the entire set. At one point in the night, lead singer Ben Kowalewicz picked up a rubber chicken from the stage.

“Someone threw a chicken!” he said. “What other interesting stuff do you guys have?… What happened to like bras and panties; now I get fucking chickens thrown at me?!”

The chicken was later returned to its rightful owner.

Billy Talent was the most enthusiastic band of the night, by far. They spoke of their love for Edgefest; an event where they played on the third stage, when they were just starting out.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/billytalent

Overall, Edgefest was awesome. There were some lines that were too long and some portapotties that were too gross, but it was a great day overall. I think the key to this concert was the mindset of the audience. Most people went there totally stoked to have a great day, regardless of the weather. Lots actually loved the weather and the mud.

One girl, who was drenched in mud, brushed up against me and quickly apologized for doing so, since she was so filthy.

I said, “Fuck that; we’re all muddy today!”

“YES WE ARE!” she replied with enthusiasm. “Give me a hug!”

I did. I got even dirtier. It was awesome.

***

By Cashlyn Teggart

Both Tegan and Sara and Do Make Say Think have begun working on new albums. According to Chart, Tegan and Sara are currently in Los Angeles with Howard Redekopp and Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla (who are co-producing the record), whereas Do Make Say Think frontman Charles Spearin is planning for the band’s new record to “be either four songs or one big song.” Exciting!

Billy Talent, on the other hand, have finished recording a new album and will be releasing III (obviously a follow-up to II) on July 14th. Here’s the tracklisting:

III
01 Devil On My Shoulder
02 Rusted From The Rain
03 Saint Veronika
04 Tears Into Wine
05 White Sparrows
06 Pocketful Of Dreams
07 The Dead Can’t Testify
08 Diamond On A Landmine
09 Turn Your Back
10 Sudden Movements
11 Definition Of Destiny

See them live at this year’s Edgefest on June 20th!

Neko Case returns to Toronto on July 14th at the significantly bigger Massey Hall. Tickets go from $29.50-40.50 and they go on sale (to the public) this Friday. This show is all-ages.

An updated list of bands have been posted up on NXNE’s site. Read here!

Jack White’s new band, The Dead Weather will be at the Kool Haus on July 22nd. Tickets also go on sale this Friday (not clear on prices yet) and it will be all-ages. Their debut album, Horehound, will be out on July 14th.

Caribou will be at the Opera House on September 10th as the Caribou Vibration Ensemble, which will consist of Kieran Hebden (Four Tet), Koushik, John Schmersal, Kathryn Bint, Ahmed Gallab, a four-piece horn section, a choir and four drummers.

Other show announcements:
The Walkmen, Cass McCombs @ Lee’s (July 24th, $16.50, 19+)
Michachu and the Shapes @ El Mocambo (July 14th, $12.00, 19+)
Frightened Rabbit @ Horseshoe (July 22nd, $13.50, 19+)
Moderat @ Circa (May 29th, 19+)
Team B, New Numbers @ Horseshoe (June 22nd, $8.00, 19+, *tickets at door only)

Congrats to Toronto’s Timber Timbre for signing onto Arts & Crafts Records! His recently released self-titled album will be re-released on A&C on June 30th, in Canada.

Lily Allen recently released a b-side from It’s Not Me, It’s You entitled “Why”. Click here to listen.

And last but not least, I would’ve killed Santa Claus for this.

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody

Still Life Still

Hope your week got off on a good start! For those returning from reading week, I hope it was more eventful than mine. For those who have yet to have their reading week, please take advantage of it. I sat at home doing work. I need to go on a trip next year. Anyway, back in the realms of Toronto, we were treated to this fantastic piece of news today.

Edgefest has announced their line up this year. The annual music fest will again take place at Downsview Park (for a second year) on June 20th (here’s a Lamb fact for everyone: it’s also my birthday!). Here’s who we have so far on the bill:

Billy Talent
AFI
Alexisonfire
Metric
k-os
The Stills
The Arkells
Moneen
The Waking Eyes
The Midway State
Beast
Flash Lightnin
Still Life Still
Clothes Make the Man
Dean Lickyer
Dinosaur Bones
La Casa Muerte

*The bolded bands will be performing on the main stage, whereas the rest will perform on the second stage.

Tickets will go on sale on Saturday February 28th at 10:00 am on Ticketmaster, but early bird, discounted tickets ($39.50 as opposed to $49.50) will be available between Tuesday morning and Friday night.

I’ve got to say, I was never a fan of Edgefest but this year’s line up is actually decent enough for me to make it out to! Pending I have the money…BMV trip again? I think so. What can I say, the young teen in me is still screaming over Alexisonfire and Billy Talent.

Speaking of Alexisonfire, according to Chart, the guys are back in the studio for a follow-up to 2006′s Crisis. Fans can follow the production of Young Cardinals through their new studio blog. Read more about it here.

One of the bands off that bill that I’m most excited to see though (well, that’s if I don’t catch them live before June) is East York’s very own Still Life Still. Hailed as “the new Broken Social Scene”, this band has some pretty big expectations to meet – and I believe they may be able to do just that. It’s not hard to see why Still Life Still gets so many comparisons as they possess the same sonically layered, collective indie-rock force that Broken Social Scene is so well-known for but these guys are definitely not Broken Social Scene, in a good way. Kevin Drew can be listed as one of their many fans though; Arts & Crafts Records are even slated to release the band’s highly anticipated debut album this summer. So I suggest you check them out now and try to catch one of their upcoming sets at The Silver Dollar (Feb. 27th – with The Paint Movement and The D’urbervilles) or at Lee’s Palace on March 20th. For music, go to their MySpace now! These guys are going to be big.

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody