Canadian Music Week - Part Four

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
KEVIN LLOYD

It’s the start of our fourth night at Canadian Music Week and the past three nights of gigging and drinking, coupled with lack of daylight and any sign of healthy food is beginning to take its toll! Nonetheless we are hardened gig goers, journalists and drinkers - so we soldier on and head out into the night for more live music.

Our first stop tonight is Sneaky Dee’s where we find a bizarre sight on stage; a voluptuous brunette in leotard and tights with a Britney style mike performing an energetic and extremely tongue in cheek workout routine. She’s aided by two extremely camp men, one on the decks providing a live mix and the other wearing a sparkly gold vest joining in on the moves.

As I write this on paper it sounds horrendous, but there and then, amongst the bustling, young vibrant and predominantly gay audience it seemed so right! Her name is Cherie Lily. Make it your mission in life to see her at least once.

After such a workout we need to quench our thirst so it’s back to the bar for a quick pint before electro-disco band MEN take the stage. The number three is certainly their theme: three members, three letters in the band name, a macbook with the lit apple logo turned into a triangle with masking tape, triangles all over their trousers and t-shirts... you get the idea!

MEN

As for the music, it’s hi-energy disco with political lyrics. Two of the three members are from left wing electroclash outfit Le Tigre, and although I don't usually 'do' disco, the atmosphere is fantastic (and the crowd is enormous).

After the excitement we chill out at a very cool little bar called the Press Room. The Press Room isn’t taking part in CMW but they do have a band on - friends of my friend in fact, so we pop along to check out Shbti - a trio featuring two girls (drums and bass) and a guy (lead, vocals) who play really good garage rock with slacker vocals.

Later on, the Comfort Zone are playing host to The Zoobombs, a Japanese rock band. Though they reside in Tokyo, judging by the size and buzz of the crowd they've played here in Toronto on several occasions in the past - and the anticipation as we wait for them to make their appearance is almost palpable.


THE ZOOBOMBS

When they launch into their set the audience literally explodes and for the first time in this festival we see a proper moshpit. The set is about 40 minutes long and they only stop briefly to thank the audience and ask for a prayer for those in Japan affected by the Earthquake and tsunami of the day before. Other than they’re like a runaway train, finishing only to chants of "One More Song!"

All images are the copyright of Kevin Lloyd Photography - click HERE for more.
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