Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Luminato, David Pecault Square, June 17/12)

As mentioned off the top it had been over a decade since the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's last free public outdoor performance so it was a real treat to take in. The initial raindrops sent umbrellas skyward but it quickly passed as we enjoyed the simultaneous premiere (alongside a Baltimore performance) of the 2012 Overture made in respect to 1812 Overture. It was an enjoyable, joyous piece. Unclassically trained I couldn't name all the pieces but the theme from ET was unmistakable while the closing rendition of 1812 Overture was quite spectacular - the added aspect of rain for pathetic fallacy as well as fireworks set to the time of the drumming added immensely. There was a quick encore as well but being sans fireworks it was hard to compare.

Dan Mangan (Luminato, June 16,2012)

Dan and band, including a violinist and trumpet who hadn't played with them in a year, have been touring Oh Fortune for some time and it shows. In fact this show had many of the same aspects as last summer's shows. It leaned heavily on the new material with the mid-set exception of Sold and later Dan's now classic live rendition of Basket. Following a one-two punch of Robots (in-crowd singalong) and Rows of Houses (amazing live) it was hard to see how he was going to follow that up. What he did was slow it down for album closer and very strongly written Jeopardy. It worked in the hot, afternoon sun.

Joel Plaskett Emergency (Metro Hall Square, June 10, 2011)

Joel Plaskett may be the most prolific contemporary Canadian songwriter we have (no knock to John K., but Joel's volume speaks volumes) but he's best with the standup musicianship of his regular backing band at his flanks. Yes, there's something to be said for the Emergency. That teal guitar looks the size of a ukelele in Joel's lanky arms but sounds just fine, especially when offset by a splendid harmonica solo from Mr. Peter Elkas who was holding down keyboard and guitar duties as well through the night. Friday night at Metro Hall Square Joel proved himself again with over an hour set amidst Toronto's scrapers. Drawing from across the breadth of his catalog there was everything from Deny and Through from the ambitious Three, to throwbacks of Extraordinary and Come on Teacher off Truthfully, Truthfully. Even a selection from Ashtray Rock (Snowed In/Cruisin' into the excellent Face of the Earth) and an unreleased song that opened the two-song encore. Also included was a doublet interlude of just Joel, giving his bandmates a breather, and he was no slouch on his own either with a phenomenal rendition of the simply poignant You Came Along. With a comfortable stage presence and more than a couple mentions of the Luminato Festival that this show was kicking off in the fair city of Toronto, the large crowd amassed (despite the Stanley Cup Finals to compete with) was treated to a real show.