Thursday, February 09, 2017

Knees and news

The last few years have seen a bunch of great festivals spring up in Ottawa; first came Gaga Weekend, which turned into Ottawa Explosion, then came Arboretum, and most recently Megaphono has emerged to champion local bands and give Bytown's music business a boost (Not to mention the bevy of other one-two-and-three day affairs filling out the yearly schedule). I missed out on the Wednesday fun, but made it out to Barrymore's on Thursday and The House of Targ on Friday to see some of past and future favourite bands. It was nice to go back into Barrymore's I saw a bunch of shows there in my early days of going to shows (including what I think of as my first "big" show, Swervedriver). It doesn't look like it's changed much inside, though the soundboard setup isn't the same (no more watching the hockey game set up under the old board!). First band on stage was Montreal's IDALG, formerly known as Il Danse Avec Les Genoux. They played an awesome set of psych rock (I heard a few flashes of Astronomy Domine-era Floyd). Here's some bass action with Tommy!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Gripping action with Yuki!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Tambourine action with Philippe!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Guitar action with Jean-Michel!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Percussive action with Felix-Antoine!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Singalong action!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Guitar action with Martin, and more Tommy!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Noise-generating action!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Keyboard action!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Extra Martin!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Reddish action!

IDALG at Barrymore's

More guitar!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Illuminated action!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Extra Tommy!

IDALG at Barrymore's

The whole lot!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Danseable action!

IDALG at Barrymore's

Extra Philippe!

IDALG at Barrymore's

I was really blown away by Partner when I caught them at Pressed, and they were even more fantastic this time around: A bigger stage suits them. Here's Josee, just warming up a bit before their set.

Partner at Barrymore's

Guitar antics with Lucy!

Partner at Barrymore's

Bass action with Kevin!

Partner at Barrymore's

Josee had to shop around for a substitute pair of Harry Potter style glasses.

Partner at Barrymore's

Percussive action with Brendan!

Partner at Barrymore's

Lucy sings!

Partner at Barrymore's

More guitar with Dan!

Partner at Barrymore's

The shouty bit!

Partner at Barrymore's

More guitar!

Partner at Barrymore's

Partnered action!

Partner at Barrymore's

I'll say one thing for Barrymore's, you do get more interesting lighting ....

Partner at Barrymore's

Extra Josee!

Partner at Barrymore's

Hand-clapping action!

Partner at Barrymore's

New Swears finished things off with a killer set. As usual the crowd was rambunctious from the get go - some time later they were fed the on-stage placard for the Megaphono Getaway. Here's Alex!

New Swears at Barrymore's

Bass action with SammY!

New Swears at Barrymore's

Singalong silly-stringed action!

New Swears at Barrymore's

Guitar action with B.J.!

New Swears at Barrymore's

Illuminated action with Nick!

New Swears at Barrymore's

The whole lot (and the soon-to-be-sacrificed sign).

New Swears at Barrymore's

Abridged action!

New Swears at Barrymore's

Confetti-launching action!

New Swears at Barrymore's

Swell as always.

No comments: