"Don't put your faith in rock & roll - it will only let you down"

So said the front man of uber-Canadian indie band Broken Social Scene, Justin Peroff, yesterday in the out and out rock-a-thon on Olympic Island, Toronto. While that may be an apt statement in general, yesterday there was not a let down to be seen. It was sunny and hot, but not in the really oppressive way that it has been lately, with a nice breeze off the lake, the beer was cold and plentiful and the indie-kid crowd was in a good mood.

We got there just as Milton's The Most Serene Republic took the stage and they seemed really really good, although we didn't give them our full and undivided attention. Following them was Do Make Say Think, who offered up a set of what they described as "Space Rock" - complex and layered post-rock that is perfectly suited to swaying. I picked up their latest album and have not at all been disappointed.

The concert really began with Metric. Their set was superb: a good mix of new stuff with their best from "Old World Underground..." Their songs translated really well onstage, the highlight in particular being one of my favorite songs at the moment, "Calculation (theme)," being transformed into an even more lush version than is found on the album and the stellar closer "Dead Disco." Emily Haines was great onstage. She approached the mike very seriously and what could really only be described as robotic before breaking out with a kick and a yell and completely rocking out. It was pretty clear that the whole band was having fun and giving it all.

Broken Social Scene was mind-blowing. Their albums are very good but their performance beat even that all to pieces. We spent the first part of the set eating so didn't have a perfect view, but the sound was excellent. The nature of the concert suited the band to the tee - collaborative by nature, with 11 people listed as members of the group, they had all kinds of freinds and lovers onstage with them - including Emily Haines, Leslie Feist, Amy Millan (of Stars), and guys from Apostle of Hustle and Raising the Fawn. There were upwards of twenty people onstage at times. I can't say enough about how cool they sounded.

Lastly, were the headliners Modest Mouse, by far the most rocking of all the bands on the line up. I was told that they put on a good show and was not disappointed. Their entire set was excellent, but of particular note was the fantastic banjo playing on "Satin in a Coffin" and "Bukowski" and the final song (before the encore) "The Good Times are Killing Me" for which members of all the bands that played the show came out for.

All in all a really good show from some of the best bands around. Thanks to Mark and Danielle for their usual good company and hospitality. I took the day off today so I think I am going to find some place dark to crawl into and try to get rested up for the three-day work week ahead.
rgsc