Owen Pallett - Lee's Palace (Jan 31/15)

Before the set began the mystery was "what is under the camouflage tarp?" but practically the instant a bearded Owen Pallett confidently appeared onstage the attention was focused on him and his violin, with little else necessary. Joking about it being his first time in the city (a former resident), how much he likes it and may have to come back he then launched into a solo rendition of That's When the Audience Died, a song from the album that launched his solo career. Remaining in the Final Fantasy era he then played a beautiful rendition of a personal favourite, This Lamb Sells Condos, before being joined by his band members, Robert Gordon and Matt Smith formerly a band including Owen, Les Mouches. With this fuller sound they very cohesively tackled the more sonically dense albums Heartland and last year's In Conflict, arguably Owen's best work to date. There was some especially enjoyable drumming but Owen easily remained the focal point, extracting audible elixir from his violin, the bow his wizard's wand. Later he took another turn sans band which included the moving I Am Not Afraid - an early standout from In Conflict (the only shame of the afternoon was not getting to hear others such as The Passions and the title track.)

When the pair returned to the stage it was for a powerful closing segment that seemed destined to be highlighted by Infernal Fantasy, an incredibly fast-paced song which showcased the strobing of the mirrored lightbox that was uncovered from its camouflage. And yet despite this driving, heart-pounding performance they continued it with The Riverbed and even after it died away in a joyous crashing climax The Great Elsewhere sealed the set. Oh boy, what an incredible performance with Owen laying it all out there.

Amazingly there was more than a little left in the tank as he reappeared on his own after only a short delay to open the encore with a cover of Tori Amos' Pretty Good Year - a song I was previously unfamiliar with but enjoyed nonetheless. Knowing how to close out it was all hands on deck for two excellent Heartland songs split by another perfect throwback in This is the Dream. There is a reason I say that Owen Pallett is my absolute favourite live, solo, Canadian artist. Hell, with performances like this I may be able to remove all of those qualifiers

Opener: Foxes in Fiction

(solo)
That's When the Audience Died (Has a Good Home)
This Lamb Sells Condos (He Poos Clouds)
(band)
Midnight Detectives (Heartland)
Keep the Dog Quiet (Heartland)/Mount Alpentine (Heartland)
Soldier's Rock (In Conflict)
Tryst With Mephistopheles (Heartland)
(solo)
E is For Estranged (Heartland)
I Am Not Afraid (In Conflict)
Song for Five and Six (In Conflict)
(band)
The Secret Seven (In Conflict)
Infernal Fantasy (In Conflict)
The Riverbed (In Conflict)
The Great Elsewhere (Heartland)

-Encore-
(solo)
Pretty Good Year (Tori Amos cover)
(band)
Scandal at the Parkade (Heartland)
This is the Dream of Win & Regine (Has a Good Home)
Lewis Takes Off His Shirt (Heartland)

Foxes in Fiction - Lee's Palace (Jan 31/15)

This three-piece was already making their ambient, dreamy bedroom-pop reminiscent of Memoryhouse when I arrived to their afternoon opening set. With a male lead on electric guitar and primary vocals plus beat machine, the female played keys and synths - adding her lovely voice sparingly throughout the set. Owen Pallett was happy to give them the spotlight and play his violin in the background. Each song was well-crafted and really filled the room even at manageable sound levels, winning over the packed all-ages room who clapped enthusiastically to the understated pleasure of the leading-man of few words.

Opening for Owen Pallett