It has been quite some time since my last post. Since the summer I've been busy with school and working...it has been pretty hectic. Hopefully I can come back to this and keep doing it. Motivation is key, so here I am HOLLA!
Frank Turner played to a sold out crowd at the Phoenix in Toronto on Friday and my word, did he ever play. I was fortunate enough to speak with Frank back in September, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to speak to him at the show. Either way, I highly recommend seeing him live at some point. At least before he gets too big.
During his set he announced that it was the biggest show he's played in North America so as a collective entity we knew we had to have an extra good time.
The lights lowered as a spot light hit a stool placed in front of all the amps and instruments on stage. A lone guitarist steps out on stage and takes his place on the stool. Brings his guitar to playing level and begins to speak. Into It And Over It played a surprisingly energetic set for a guy with a guitar. Every song was accompanied by a story. Sometime seemed to drag on but made sense when he started to play. It takes a lot of balls to get up in front of an audience by yourself and belt out songs the way he did. Kudos!
Next on the bill was Andrew Jackson Jihad. Before buying my ticket for the show I had never heard of them. I listened to a couple tracks of theirs on YouTube just to check them out and familiarize myself before the show, but nothing could have prepared me for them. Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty make up the power duo that is Andrew Jackson Jihad. Their lyrics are cynical, sarcastic and brilliant. Backed by punk inspired folk guitar and a rolling bass line Andrew Jackson Jihad rocked the hell out of the Phoenix. The recognition was noticeable from hearing the audience. After each song the response from the crowd kept getting louder. As if they weren't sure about them at first. This was their first show in Canada and from the response certainly not the last. I ran into Sean after the show and expressed my enthusiasm for their performance in complete fan boy style. He seemed to be taken back a little bit. I would have loved to keep talking to him but I was being yelled at by security to leave because the show was over.
Alas, the moment the crowd was waiting for. The lights were low, the crowd in front of the stage had grown considerably and I was in line for a drink. I heard the beginning of Eulogy and got really excited. It was my time to order and I was far too busy shouting the lyrics to the enjoyment of the bartender, I'm sure. This was my first time seeing Frank so I needed to make sure I got nice and close to ensure a good time. The crowd was rough but friendly. I had a smile plastered on my face the entire time. Even while eating elbows.
He played songs from each of of his four albums. All still relevant. Frank is a showman to the core cracking jokes and providing context for his songs and just knowing the right ones to play at the right time. His encore was explosive and had a long interlude where Frank was speaking to the crowd explaining the lyrics until eventually jumping into the crowd to sing the last chorus of Photosynthesis.
It was the first show I've been to in a while but one of the most fun to date. If you haven't seen Frank Turner live I highly recommend it. He said something about returning in April. I don't know where and I don't know the exact date but I will be there will bells on.
DIG IT!
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