Arkells +Darcys, +Lights (CNE Aug 29/12)

The Darcys were the warm-up act and were doing a decent job of it. A 5 piece with a side stage drummer and two members who both played the keyboards and the guitar - sometimes on the same song. They had a downbeat prog drum sound on second last song Shaking Down the Old Bones. There were some prog-like elements coming through in the guitar too on the finale. Perhaps it wasn't the ideal venue for a band like this but they showed some musical prowess to a solid amount of people so that's gotta be a win.

Oh the Arkells are coming. All around Ontario this summer the Arkells were pumping out party anthems and having fun with their crowds. No different this time around they rocked out jams new and old. So new, in fact, they debuted one fittingly about Labour Day and in a very Joel Plaskett-like style rhymed about the QEW which they affectionately referred to as the Queen Lizzy. They also put another song to rest - hopefully forever.. Calling it the send-off from the summer they faded from Abigail into an introduction as the final time that the song should ever be heard and yes-they-did cover Call Me Maybe. Hilariously however, verses and all (who knew there were any verses?). Yet again Dan Griffin, or should I say Agent Zero, joined them as they literally "turned the lights down low". For On Paper Max couldn't ignore the sign reading "My name's Laura - you can't ignore it" and flashed it on stage before rounding out the set with Whistleblower.

The encore would have been a predictable three songs that again included Hall & Oates and John Lennon except they had a guest in Lights sing alone for a tune. Bit of a preview as they recently announced a tour with her coming right up. Hopefully they keep the collaboration going as it worked like a charm.

Lights - Hillside Friday 2011

Lights was backed by a full band for much of her set, while also taking a few moments to sing us a song or two with only the acoustic guitar in her hand. I preferred this as her pop songs don't seem to differentiate themselves much for me, only serving to cover up her enjoyable voice. Nearing the end of the set she took an effect pedal in hand to further skew this singing voice.