Fever Ray brought a loud, smoky and somber show to the Kool Haus on Friday night.

This was the first time that Swedish singer Karin Dreijer Andersson (of The Knife fame) has performed in Toronto and I'm not sure I knew what type of a show to expect. Certainly not a show so dark, brooding and theatrical.

By 9:30 p.m. the Kool Haus was still less than half full. The good-looking, mostly 20-something crowd was starting to grow, but the venue was far from sold out. We could've been treated to a more intimate show at the Mod Club, given the numbers of tickets sold.

Shortly after 10 p.m., a dark figure appeared on stage to light up about 60 sticks of incense. If that wasn't enough, a never-ending smoke machine flooded the stage, making way for the awesome laser show that was to follow.

Matt and Kim know how to play to their audience. The duo singer/keyboardist Matt and drummer Kim kept up the energy throughout their 75-minute set, getting the crowd more hyped with each song Thursday night at Reverb.

Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino have some catchy tunes, even if they all sound pretty similar. What Matt lacks in vocal range he more than makes up for in enthusiasm. Which is what really counts when playing to a raucous, all-ages crowd.

"My first time in Toronto was when I was 11 or 12 years old," shouted Matt, a few songs into the set. "It looks like some of you are only 11 or 12."

Indeed, this was one of the youngest crowds I've ever seen at a Toronto concert. I didn't even mind them shouting along to all the songs this time, unlike the Regina Spektor show a couple of weeks ago.

Shut up and Show Us Your Tweets! is Second City's newest show, which takes aim at city council, social media and strangely enough, Alberta.

I attended the opening night gala on Tuesday night and was rather impressed with most of the show's content, acted out on stage by six talented sketch/improv artists: Rob Baker, Dale Boyer, Adam Cawley, Darryl Hinds, Caitlin Howden and Reid Janisse.

The Second City show started out mocking our increasing reliance on texting and tweeting in public. And even at parties. One of the musical numbers had cast members cleverly sing, "No need for the social skills I've neglected." I left the show pleasantly amused but rather starved for more tweet-worthy content.

The Art of Time Ensemble's Abbey Road tribute concert, marking The Beatles' 40th anniversary of the album's release, was a refreshing take on an old classic.

Both Saturday and Sunday night's shows at Harbourfront Centre's Enwave Theatre this weekend had sold out and it's easy to see why: A star-studded array of Canadian musicians, including Kevin Hearn, Raine Maida (of Our Lady Peace), Andy Maize (Skydiggers), Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies), Sarah Slean, John Southworth and Alejandra Ribera were performing classic songs from the album.

Fucked Up surprised everyone by winning the 2009 Polaris Music Prize last night for The Chemistry Of Common Life album.

Emerging from perhaps the most talented collection of 10 short-list nominees yet, the hardcore band becomes the second group from the Toronto area to win the Polaris Prize, following in the footsteps of inaugural victor Final Fantasy, who just so happened to join the band on stage in the night's most memorable performance.

Regina Spektor's sold-out crowd became one big sing-along at Sound Academy last night.

"Aw, it's like I've got the choir of Toronto backing me up," remarked Spektor after the first song. But then it got tiresome.

The hordes of teenage girls in the audience almost ruined it for the rest of us, singing along not only during the chorus, but throughout the entire song. Did you come to hear Regina Spektor sing or to hear yourself sing along to every song?

The real back-up, often featuring violin, cello and drums, worked well. Especially with the songs On the Radio and Us. Spektor showcased a handful of songs from her latest album, Far, which translated well live for the most part, were it not for the crappy venue.