Los Campesinos! @ Lee’s Palace
Los Campesinos! the band from Cardiff, Wales that caught my attention when I checked out the album Hold On Now Youngster… was touring North America and made a stop in Toronto for a sold out show. I actually saw the show by the skin my teeth as I actually got the last non-ticket spot (actually went to Soundscapes unsuccessfully – was looking to hand in my resume…any1 want to give a guy a job?).
Anyway the place was really crowded, due to being a sell out show so being as short as I am, I have the great advantage of getting people’s head into my camera and recording video was out of the question because it would be impossible.
I would say Los Campesinos! started off a bit slow as it was a little hard to get the crowd into it. Gareth was talking to fans though when they tuning their instruments. One of my concerns turned into fruition, with 7 members and the raging of instruments the vocals tend to get lost or drowned out this was especially the case for Aleks as at times it was impossible to hear her. Gareth has some pretty good stage presence pacing around back and forth across stage and at one point climbed up 10 feet in the air on the speakers.
Musically Los Campesinos were sharp for the most part, it is a great spectacle watching all 7 members playing. They were enjoying themselves as well and it seemed like everyone was out there giving their best effort.
Definitely the highlight on the night was during the song “You! Me! Dancing” where the crowd finally got the groove and starting jumping and well..dancing. It was probably one of the better live moments I’ve been to. That song alone make the concert great. Otherwise nothing really matched the crowd intensity to that song but they were overall pretty good.
It Started With A Mixx by Los Campesinos!
My Year In Lists by Los Campesinos!
Jeffrey Lewis and The Jitters opened the show and it might’ve been one of the most interesting and unique sets I’ve listened to/watched. I never checked out their music so it was bit of “surprise me” kind of thing and indeed they did. They started out with a slow space rock piece but they won over a lot of the crowd with the short story on “Champion Jim” the brief history of Communism part 3 and The History of Punk Rock from 1950-1975 in New York. Musically I’m still undecided about them but definitely the creativity in their live show sets them apart.
Photos below:
Los Campesinos:
Jeffrey Lewis and The Jitters
Hey, just finished reading your review. Nice. I responded to your comment on my blog but the short version is that it’s possible that I did see you. If you notice a possibility that we might be going to the same show again, let me know, and I’ll try to be more aware.