Oh dear friends, this past week was a legendary one in terms of concert-going at The Cuddle. Two trips to Toronto, two of the greatest concerts this writer has ever been to.Tuesday, June 8 brought a trip to legendary concert venue, Massey Hall. Loaded with history (it would take a post of its own to discuss the famous concerts staged and live albums recorded at the venue - Live at Massey Hall by Neil Young and All The World's A Stage by Rush are paramount among them), The National staked their claim to that long list emphatically, playing a 90 minute set to a sold-out house of rabid fans. Kicking off their set with the somber High Violet stand-out "Runaway" and closing with the beautifully downcast "About Today" during a second encore, the band held the accumulated masses in rapt attention. Matt Berninger seemed to be turning in a typically restrained performance, but surprised everyone by jumping into the audience for a burning "Abel" and a frenzied "Mr. November". The banter between the band and the audience was a surprise to anyone who had been to a National show in the past, as they typically go about their business in workmanlike fashion without much conversation. The Dessner brothers started things off and Berninger jumped right in to the fold. The highlights of the night, beyond those already mentioned, included a surprise appearance by "The Geese of Beverly Road" and Cuddle favorite, "All The Wine". This band will just continue to get bigger, so catch them while you can. Buffalonians are lucky enough to have their chance on this Friday, June 18, when Berninger and the boys hit the annual Rockin' at the Knox concert in front of the Albright-Knox art museum. You'd be crazy to miss it.
For a beautifully eloquent review of the show (including some beautiful pictures - who knew that Canadians didn't care if you took all the pictures at live concerts that you wanted?), head on over to one of our favorite blogs, Chromewaves, for their comprehensive recap HERE.
Having learned our lesson about the photography rules at Canadian concert venues, we were bound and determined to get some great shots at our second show of the week. Yesterday's jaunt to Toronto brought yours truly along with the BFF to The Drake Hotel's Underground to see legendary British singer-songwriter and indie-rock patriarch, Robyn Hitchcock.
I couldn't have been more excited for this show, as Hitchock has been an obsession for the past two plus years. Add this to the volume of Hitchcock's catalogue, making the possibility of dusty deep cuts from some of his older records a distinct possibility, and excitement was at a fever pitch. We arrived in a section of Toronto that we had not previously been in, to find a classic Urban Hipster neighborhood, dotted with small art galleries and vegan eateries (we chose Fresh, wholly the right choice, as the bean burrito with fresh cilantro, Mediterranean plate, and sweet potato fries with spicy Thai peanut dipping sauce proved). We strolled back down Queen Street West to The Drake Hotel, passing through crowds of nattily dressed clubbers and down a steep stairway to the doors of the Underground. After a chunk of time spent waiting in front of closed doors, we were finally allowed entrance, and walked into a cozy, dimly lit room, dotted with a few folding chairs and soft leather furniture to the outsides of the room. We chose a perfect location - a leather couch perpendicular to the stage - with a perfect view, a mere 10 feet away. It was telling that prominent Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith was in attendance - I guess he, too, worships at the altar of Hitchcock.
Hitchcock came to the stage wearing a classic Hitchcock shirt, black with white polka dots, sporting only an acoustic guitar and harmonica, and launched into the BFF's two favorite songs as his first two selections - "Cynthia Mask" and "Queen Elvis". He held the audience in his grasp throughout the set (which was, unfortunately, too short at 90 minutes), playing a set that touched on many corners of his career, even if it was a bit heavy on material from Goodnight Oslo (not that there's anything wrong with that). He concluded his set with three songs "from my record collection" - "All la Glory" by The Band, "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix, and "Candyman" by the Grateful Dead. I would have wished that the set went on forever, but alas, the Underground had been booked for a DJ set later that night, making a marathon concert an impossibility. I maintain (as I told Mrs. Cuddle this morning) that everyone should be so lucky to see an artist they love in such an intimate, solo acoustic setting from so close.
Hitchcock came to the stage wearing a classic Hitchcock shirt, black with white polka dots, sporting only an acoustic guitar and harmonica, and launched into the BFF's two favorite songs as his first two selections - "Cynthia Mask" and "Queen Elvis". He held the audience in his grasp throughout the set (which was, unfortunately, too short at 90 minutes), playing a set that touched on many corners of his career, even if it was a bit heavy on material from Goodnight Oslo (not that there's anything wrong with that). He concluded his set with three songs "from my record collection" - "All la Glory" by The Band, "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix, and "Candyman" by the Grateful Dead. I would have wished that the set went on forever, but alas, the Underground had been booked for a DJ set later that night, making a marathon concert an impossibility. I maintain (as I told Mrs. Cuddle this morning) that everyone should be so lucky to see an artist they love in such an intimate, solo acoustic setting from so close.
As previously mentioned, we weren't going to miss out on an opportunity to take some great photos of this show. What follows are some beautiful shots taken by the BFF, along with superb video of Hitchcock's performance of "I'm Only You" :
Yup, he changed his shirt prior to the encore... 
Now for the video I promised. Here's "I'm Only You" with some beautiful guitar work (and just as beautiful camera work by the BFF) :
UPDATE - VIDEO HAVING UPLOAD DIFFICULTIES
In addition to the above media, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a new Torontonian, Johnny, who recently moved to the city from Denver with his family. Couldn't have been a nicer guy and he taped last night's show, Friday night's show, and Saturday's in-store appearance at Sonic Boom. Those tracks should be headed to faithful Cuddle readers soon.
Until that time, be well, and get out and see some shows. You just might attend one that changes your life.
