Boats, Les Jupes, Federal Lights - Winnipeg Music - Supermarket (Nov 28/13)

Boats
They have a weird kind of out there energy, especially their lead.. Uh, singer.. Who seems to not care about much judging by his caveman look. The young band around him brings exuberance to the music as it was more a communal vocal effort for the most part, with a bunch of repetition, shouting and call and response. It was fun even with the break in the flow due to a bass amp blowing up mid set.

Les Jupes
As a showcase night it was interesting to see the band play a short set of strictly new songs. They swapped instruments from time to time, maybe just to prevent the bass player from headbutting everyone. It was a quick progression of intensity as it stepped up before they closed with awfully titled Interview with a Contract Killer. The synths nicely offset the gruff singing voice of the lead man.

Federal Lights
I was intrigued to see Rusty (Imaginary Cities) as a part of this five-piece, including a female on xylophone and keys, electric and acoustic guitar, bass and drums with the vocals coming primarily from the male lead but backed up all around. They had pop sensibility, including throwing their single in second for a little recognition for an up-and-coming band. Again a short set, cut even shorter by pre-show sound issue that cut a song from the end and had them push up the finale tune that sees the lone female (and singer's wife) take on a larger vocal role with decent results.

Les Jupes (Manitoba Music, @Supermarket, Nov 22)

Les Jupes have got a look. (It was hard to choose best hair in the band - eventual winner, bass player for his tussled yet all-up do). This was no fashion contest though - this was a show and they gave us one. Following an opening new number they did my introduction to them, Myth #3, as well as Someone Lit a Fire Under Kruschev. On the latter they were giving it their all considering it was song three, as the drummer was leaving his seat to pound it out and guitar was cranking up the pedals for a searing sound. Outside of this the bass/synth player was confidently holding it down and the female keyboardist also provided xylophone on the slower, steadier, mid-set One Solemn Oath. Later, on another new track, she was great in her echoing backing vocals. In what turned out to be another all-too-short set they played a hard hitting version of Myth #7 (Honour) before closing out with the slow burn into crescendo of A Caveman Returns Home to Find the Fire Has Gone Out. I've been wanting to see this band for some time now and even with the wait and the anticipation I was not disappointed. Now I just want to see them again (and have them play Awake, My Ghost!).