Diamond Rings - Hillside 2013 (Fri. Night)

To shield from the Friday night lights all members of Diamond Rings sported some snazzy shades; more on that later. Local musician Geordie Gordon, known for his band The Magic, played the synths and guitar while a couple other one-time Guelphites accompanied on drums, and keys/computer respectively. The focal point, John O'Regan, had the signature 'do, though no makeup anymore, and a spiky black leather vest. At least he started the set with all this but as the beats were dropped and the band heated up he also droped the glasses and then the vest. This allowed him to dance more freely on stage while his singing, and occasional guitar playing, was never inhibited. Free Dimensional is a danceable album so cuts from it were working their charm, while Special Affections tracks are plain great and also worked. Pockets of the crowd were really grooving but it wasn't totally widespread which was a disappointment. There've been many Bowie allusions floated in reference and although that's some hallowed ground there is some basis for it. As the set was rounding the corner to bring it down the home stretch an instantaneous power outage cut not only the sound but also all the lights in the tent leaving us completely and utterly in the dark. It took mere moments of confusion and shock before the cell phones and lighters lit the tent and under ten minutes until they had the gear back up and running. Thankfully time remained before quiet hours and John and the gang banged out two more tunes to the now especially appreciative audience and we grooved it out counting along to Day & Night to call it a night.

Diamond Rings, Land of Talk (Yonge-Dundas Square, NXNE, June 17, 2011)

Diamond Rings has catchy as fly balls songs, but they are laptop constructed beats with some electric strumming overtop. So as much as I dig Special Affections there really isn't too much to entertain at a live show after you note the change of eyeshadow shade and just how skinny those skinny pants are. Is a highlight accidentally unplugging and then re-amping your guitar mid-song? Word was that he rapped on his opening tune (that I missed) - so perhaps a new twist to come?


Land of Talk have never been my thing and even with Gentleman Reg's cross-dressing alter ego, Light Fires, adding vocals on the first few songs I wasn't swayed by this show. The closing instrumental breakdown of the final song sounded good but it was too little, too late for me.