Grimes, Born Gold (Horseshoe Mar 27, '12)

Born Gold
Having seen the same Born Gold set twice (first time with Grimes at Hillside) I was excited to see what these uber creative folk had come up with for this tour. It was darker and different, both the music and the showmanship. To start with the lights were completely down to allow for a light-theremin of sorts to work. Essentially one member danced with a custom-built light-up jacket such that he would light a sleeve or a shoulder or a patch and wave it to produce noise. He also held different colored lights in his hands to raise a sound before whipping it away. This was pretty neat both visually and for the way it produced the sounds. Meanwhile his compatriots manned their stations either on keys, synths, programmed boards, tapping an electronic drum pad with a drumstick, or some combination of the above. The new music tended toward deeper beats, I hesitate to say the word techno but feel it had some aspects, that seemed well-produced though came across less danceable.

Now for the other aspects of their show. The electronics-bearing shovel and stilts made a reemergence on the first of only two old tunes, End of Days (the other being Lawn Knives). Another had them carry a thin sheet over our heads while flashing a strobe light underneath it reminiscent of Rich Aucoin's parachute (though admittedly not as fun). They donned creepy, dark masks and flashed synchronized, lit fans which looked quite cool too. All the while multicolored strobes burst on stage to the beat and gave the show a blinding element in the dark. Granted the presentation was visually unique and absolutely creative; put head to head with the previous incarnation the music and the band interactions were less crowd-participation inducing. That being said to compare to the last show is already a tall task and this is absolutely worth checking for the sheer spectacle of it.

Grimes
Grimes was finally playing the rescheduled Horseshoe, hometown gig. Okay, sure it had only been a week postponed due to sickness but ever since it was announced Grimes has blown up making this a hugely anticipated, sold out $8 show. It was anything but a polished, tight set, what with a few technical issues, including one spot of prolonged screeching feedback, some flubbed transitions, another time where the music cut out altogether, and the fact that Grimes was still recovering from the sickness that had caused her to cancel the show in the first place. Despite, or perhaps because of, all this it was a thoroughly enjoyable set. Sure she sputtered a series of obscenities when she couldn't hit the notes she was aiming for early in the set but that didn't stop her from giving everything else her all. Like her barely perceptible lisp, it may be in the imperfections that she succeeds.

Before playing a note this young artist was rambling. First thanking the openers, some of whom she is friends with, others she couldn't remember the names of. Then introducing her accompanying dancer, Duffy, who she promised would dance throughout and boy did he ever - scarf and chest hair swaying all over that stage! Introing the set she did her industrial 'non-song' and continued to play with her assortment of electronic dials and knobs, plus keyboard, all the while singing into one of her mics, also employing a variety of reverb and effects. Between songs she ran the vocal tracks backwards until the next song started up.


Everyone from Born Gold joined her after a few solo (don't forget Duffy) songs and they stayed up until, but not including, the final track. There were definite moments of danceability, including Vanessa, and the single, Oblivion, and some Torontonians actually attempted to dance despite the close quarters. Being primarily electronic music it did come across similarly to on album, though for her finale she did build up a massive wall of sound before closing out. The encore cheers could not persuade her to return, even after the stage lights came up, the house music came on, and brighter lights shone. As the minutes passed people were still looking expectantly sides stage. It wasn't to be, but the performance was worth it and a marked improvement over her bare bones set back in the summer.


Majical Cloudz
Majical Cloudz was a kinda awkward act of this somewhat out of place looking guy in black jeans and a white t shirt singing over some backing music provided by a second guy programming it. He wasn't a terrible singer but when he wasn't singing he wasn't doing much of anything but staring out at the crowd expressionless.

Kidstreet is Born Gold (Drake Underground, Oct 1/11)

Kidstreet began Nuit Blanche with such a bang that they temporarily knocked themselves offline. Opener X saw the small but passionate Drake Underground crowd (surrounded by passerbyers looking for the Nuit Blanche Funhouse) get into things off the top, blowing their light-up whistles alongside the energetic fronting brother. I mean that literally as a few were invited on stage and that was where the trouble began by cutting power to the sampler at the end of the tune. Following a minor delay things were back on track and one of the guys right in front of the stage actually removed his shirt and tossed it at the band. Hilarious. The band seem to be gaining even more confidence, and rightfully so with the release of their first official album, Fuh Yeah, this week (unofficial, unadvertised Toronto release party they joked.) Leading lady sang her heart out and wowed again with the ending to Penny Candy. One brand new track wad added to the set list and most of Fuh Yeah, including the title track, was played. Spin Twirl, the one old fave from the unofficial release that wasn't brought along to the new disc, was displayed too - much to my delight. Fun times and the perfect opener to Born Gold.

Without much introduction Born Gold launched into their first song - an upbeat number, as they all are no doubt, but a relatively subdued performance piece for this band. However once this was completed they got up to their old antics again. One dude waltzed into the crowd on stilts, a little less frightening when it is expected. Shovel percussion, slinking crowd tambo, blow up ghosts and leaf blowers all remained integral parts of the spectacle that the name change (from Gobble Gobble) has not removed. Personally I was stoked to rock/dance out to Boring Horror though overall nobody was too picky and people got into most everything they delivered. If you haven't seen a Born Gold set please do as there's no chance that you have any clue what goes on from what you've read here. Just keep your head down, while continuing dance, to avoid getting whipped by a sheet or smashed by a shovel which might spoil the party.

Gobble Gobble eat up the Island Tent - Hillside Sunday 2011

With all the hype (ok I'd been adding to it too) I was super excited to finally see what exactly it is that Gobble Gobble do to make their set so indescribably crazy. I'll do my best to perform the impossible and describe it. Spoiler alert!

With primarily electronic music it can be difficult to put on a show seeing, as the instrumentation is mostly button pushing. This Edmonton three piece (as part of Pop Montreal) must actively work to keep you entertained. Off the top the two wandering members were inexplicably towering over people in the crowd, and moving through the sea of folks. It was actually terrifying for some reason to have these two giants moving toward you, even after the realization of the souped-up stilts on their feet.

Next track they were back in the crowd - at regular height now but both wielding shovels. Why you ask? Combined they were producing percussion, of course. This was scary for a different reason as they literally smashed the backs of their spades together above my head as they passed over me. I could have used a helmet!

Funnily enough the next tune the two were both donning helmets - a street hockey goalie mask and a bike bucket - and then, taking a page out of the Arcade Fire's book, they proceeded to alternately bash each other over the head with drum sticks.

Additional antics included blowing up a massive ghost-like figure with a leaf blower, carrying around an oversized drum for us to bash, performing synchronized tambourine, and dishing out all sorts of high fives to the beat.

At one point they both disappeared from view and I was startled to see them slinking around my feet with their tambourines, much to everyone's surprise. They were a lot more conspicuous during the closing number when they jumped up and body surfed around.

Mind you the entire time the third member was keepin the tunes pumping (but not fave Boring Horror) and we were keeping the dance party going too. All this showmanship and sweat made for a helluva show. It's true that it's gotta be seen, no, experienced. Now I get it.


Update: Gobble Gobble became Born Gold in 2011.