Well I hope everyone had a fantastic Canada Day!
I, like many others, celebrated it Polaris-style at Harbourfront (again) this year. Polaris Prize long-list nominees, Plants and Animals and Basia Bulat both played sets alongside Laura Barrett and Martha Wainwright on Tuesday at various stages in the parameters of the lakeside. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch the ladder pair, but I was lurking about long enough the see the former.
I came to a rather random, yet important conclusion about Plants and Animals after their set in the Brigantine Room - they’re much better live than on record. Till this day, I’ve yet to fully listen to their debut LP, Parc Avenue. It’s not because it’s bad or anything, but I just couldn’t put my finger on the reason why…until I saw them live again (the first time I saw them live was just prior to their album release at Criminal Records). Although the intricately beautiful instrumentation on the record is admirable, I don’t feel that I can fully grasp the beauty of each note until it hits me in person. Watching each member play in front of me and seeing how that energy transcribes over to the transfixed audience really makes me realize how powerful their music can be. The liveliness and presence of each song was much more captivating, especially stunners such as “Bye Bye Bye” and “New Kind Of Love”. The only downside to the performance was the ridiculously unnecessary use of smoke machines, but to a certain extent, those were even able to mend its way into the show as well. Those are fortunately not a regular fixture in their shows though; or at least not to my knowledge. Although many artists sound different and more energetic live, I feel that Plants and Animals will be solely a live band for me. I’m gradually getting there though, as I am listening to the record more and more in recent days. (Fun fact: I’m listening to “Bye Bye Bye” now!)
Basia Bulat on the other hand, will never disappoint me – both on records and in person. The last time I saw Bulat live was at her CD release show in September for the now-Polaris-nominated hit, Oh, My Darling, so I was overwhelmed with anxiety to see her again. From what I can remember, not only is she and her band adorable to watch, but they were quite the act musically as well. Playing in the open space of the Sirius Stage, underneath a Canadian flag plastered on the reflective ceiling and sweetly dancing lights just above their heads, served Bulat and her signature folk sound surprisingly well. Each song danced across the audience nicely and the sound was overall really enjoyable. Stand out tracks included opener, “Heart of My Own,” “The Pilgriming Vine” and the always uplifting and joyful single, “In the Night”. This just proves the well-roundedness of the band. I can only see brighter horizons for Bulat in the foreseeable future – maybe a Polaris Prize? I’m really hoping she makes the short-list at least, as there is some tough competition from some equally talented acts. But for a debut album, this girl is the shit. (Sorry for the profanity and lack of proper phrasing, but come on…it’s Basia Bulat!)
All in all, it was yet another successful Canada Day. I personally think last year’s show featuring Final Fantasy was far better, but then again I am being severely biased because I am in love with Owen Pallett. Either way, I can’t wait to see what next year may offer!
I, like many others, celebrated it Polaris-style at Harbourfront (again) this year. Polaris Prize long-list nominees, Plants and Animals and Basia Bulat both played sets alongside Laura Barrett and Martha Wainwright on Tuesday at various stages in the parameters of the lakeside. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch the ladder pair, but I was lurking about long enough the see the former.
I came to a rather random, yet important conclusion about Plants and Animals after their set in the Brigantine Room - they’re much better live than on record. Till this day, I’ve yet to fully listen to their debut LP, Parc Avenue. It’s not because it’s bad or anything, but I just couldn’t put my finger on the reason why…until I saw them live again (the first time I saw them live was just prior to their album release at Criminal Records). Although the intricately beautiful instrumentation on the record is admirable, I don’t feel that I can fully grasp the beauty of each note until it hits me in person. Watching each member play in front of me and seeing how that energy transcribes over to the transfixed audience really makes me realize how powerful their music can be. The liveliness and presence of each song was much more captivating, especially stunners such as “Bye Bye Bye” and “New Kind Of Love”. The only downside to the performance was the ridiculously unnecessary use of smoke machines, but to a certain extent, those were even able to mend its way into the show as well. Those are fortunately not a regular fixture in their shows though; or at least not to my knowledge. Although many artists sound different and more energetic live, I feel that Plants and Animals will be solely a live band for me. I’m gradually getting there though, as I am listening to the record more and more in recent days. (Fun fact: I’m listening to “Bye Bye Bye” now!)
Basia Bulat on the other hand, will never disappoint me – both on records and in person. The last time I saw Bulat live was at her CD release show in September for the now-Polaris-nominated hit, Oh, My Darling, so I was overwhelmed with anxiety to see her again. From what I can remember, not only is she and her band adorable to watch, but they were quite the act musically as well. Playing in the open space of the Sirius Stage, underneath a Canadian flag plastered on the reflective ceiling and sweetly dancing lights just above their heads, served Bulat and her signature folk sound surprisingly well. Each song danced across the audience nicely and the sound was overall really enjoyable. Stand out tracks included opener, “Heart of My Own,” “The Pilgriming Vine” and the always uplifting and joyful single, “In the Night”. This just proves the well-roundedness of the band. I can only see brighter horizons for Bulat in the foreseeable future – maybe a Polaris Prize? I’m really hoping she makes the short-list at least, as there is some tough competition from some equally talented acts. But for a debut album, this girl is the shit. (Sorry for the profanity and lack of proper phrasing, but come on…it’s Basia Bulat!)
All in all, it was yet another successful Canada Day. I personally think last year’s show featuring Final Fantasy was far better, but then again I am being severely biased because I am in love with Owen Pallett. Either way, I can’t wait to see what next year may offer!
Basia Bulat's Website
This is does not spell the ending for Harbourfront though, my friends. There is a slew of upcoming free shows to check out this summer, including free shows from Ladytron and Crystal Castles on July 4th and 5th, respectively. DO NOT MISS THEM. (For further info, visit: www.harbourfrontcentre.com)
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