The measured approach

At previous Bluesfests there usually seemed to be some act I'd never seen but sounded interesting playing at the same time as acts that I had caught before, but figured I could skip this time around. That didn't happen as frequently at this Bluesfest, which either indicates I've seen a whole lot more music than I thought, or the folks at Bluesfest are booking the same acts again. I've certainly seen and enjoyed both Ryan Shaw and Metric before. Since I knew I was going to see Iron & Wine later I decided to go and see Metric -again - at the Rogers Stage, if only because they were closer.

James Shaw breaks out the Theremin.



Emily Haines seemed a bit more cheerful this time around, and she upgraded her outfit from the hoodie-wearing street urchin look she sported when I caught the band in 2007.



Ray Winstead mans the low end.



Hair-shaking action!



Tambourining action!



Face-to-face action!



The whole lot!



James gets to yell some too.



You have to give Haines credit for really throwing herself into her performance.



Bass-lifting action!




Run for your life!



Emily gets her axe.



Guitar action!



Clapping action!



After a couple of final festival dates - Sonic Boom and Bumbershoot - they're off to Australia for a few weeks of touring. After about 40 minutes of their fine set I headed back to the Subway Stage to see Iron & Wine ... but it wouldn't be the last I heard of Metric.

• Show reminder: Guy Del Villano performs at the Elmdale House.