Broken Social Scene's Best Show Ever?
As part of the Harbourfront Centre's BBC festival, Broken Social Scene made an appearance in their hometown of Toronto. Hands down, they take the cake. They take the cake, the icing, the plate, and everything else on the table. It was the best show I have ever been to. Even just sitting here and writing about it, I'm getting goosebumps.
Forced to cancel their concert on the Toronto Island due to the city strike, BSS agreed to hold a free show instead. Hours before the show was scheduled to start, fans began piling into the auditorium and scouting out prime seat locations. I was lucky enough to snag a spot in the first row, and while chatting with the kids behind me, discovered that they had been waiting there for four long hours.
And finally, after the hours of waiting, after Rattlesnake Choir had started things off and put us in the mood, Kevin Drew walked on stage. And so it began.
There they were. Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, and the crew -- back and better than ever. They started us off with an instrumental piece as they began to build what would become a monumental show.
The guys from BSS really know how to make a scene, as they jumped around the stage with the horns blaring and rolling out across the audience. And then it happened. What nobody knew would happen, but everybody had secretly hoped for -- the music paused for Kevin Drew to introduce his good friend who had also lived in Toronto, Leslie Feist. The music started again and the crowd pulsated to 7/4 Shoreline. Oh gosh, things couldn't get any better.
Except they did, because suddenly there was Amy Millan from the Stars singing her sweet song to the birds. Who could possibly follow that? Only Emily Haines. And then Jason Collett, and the boys from Apostle of Hustle. There they were, the BSS family back together and loving every moment of it. Their energy was limitless as the girls shimmied and shaked their way around the stage, Jason Collett literally bent over backwards, Feist unleashed herself on a second drumset, and the entire gang leaped around and kicked out for the hell of it. They were unstoppable.
Even after their set was over and they had played their encore, they weren't finished. Brendan Canning dedicated a never-ending song to Martin Streek that became a song for Toronto and everybody there as it gained more and more momentum. With Kevin, the crowd screamed their apologies and their love to each other. And finally, after about four encores, came the last song. By the time they began playing Superconnected, everybody was on their feet and it was impossible to stand still. Everybody knew the words and everybody was singing, it was a perfect ending.
As we turned to file out, the girl next to me was still in a haze as she grinned and said to me, "That was the best show ever." And it was. The real kicker was that it had all been for free, which made it a show entirely about the music and the people and the city. Being there, you could tell that Broken Social Scene truly loves their roots.
Writing and photos by Jen Brailsford
Comments (29)
Just a note of clarification -- BSS canceled the island show long before the strike happened. It was because the show was on the same day as the Indy race and they didn't want bands to have to compete with the noise from that.
Ok, it was a wicked show... buuuut (1) How does this article not mention "This Movie Is Broken" http://www.thismovieisbroken.com/ All of the alumni were there because they're filming this movie, which looks to be a promo of all BSS offshoot bands as well as the band itself.. (2) the Island show was canceled far before the strike. Jus' sayin'.
I was there. Loved it. Haven't read your article yet, but just had to say that your pictures are gorgeous.
Thanks!
I was out of town and am now SUPER disappointed that I missed this show.
I am glad to read that Martin Streek - the truest of all music lovers Toronto has ever known - was memorialized. That's one dude who deserves to be remembered by all of Toronto's music scene and all of us.
Yep it was their best show ever!! Won't ever get any better than that. It's all down hill from here...
I truely felt like Toronto came alive at this show. At most shows I've been to, everyone stands around waiting for 'the big one' to radiate from the amplifiers but from the second BSS took the stage an infectious energy radiated throughout the audience and I knew something profound was about to happen.
And I got chills just reading the headline of this article. I hope the rest of summer has something to offer after that weekend pinnacle.
I was actually hoping they would play Superconnected. They didn't.
Not that I mind, they played songs I'd have never hoped to hear.
This was the best of the 10 or so times I've seen them. Really fantastic show. One of those shows where you feel like you're a part of something.
No he's not. He might be better at a craft/profession that I don't, but then so am I of he. Please don't idolize and place on a pedestal, he really doesn't appreciate it, and it steals from the goodness of the band.
Thanks.
This is the third time I've seen BSS. They are not only my favourite band, but theya re also dynamos who have never ceased to amaze me with their shows. There's such unstoppable energy in their performances...a show with BSS is like a nevereneding rollercoaster ride.
I snuck up to the front row shortly before they appeared and man, did they give me a treat. I left dehydrated and almost collapsing because I was dancing and singing/screaming my lungs and feet off.
Indeed, this WAS their brightest hour.
For those who were not lucky enough to be there in person:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beZyl-xSFIs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uPUogr02mk
A few of thoughts:
- I was waaaaay at the back, standing on the benches at the boardwalk, and I *still* thought to myself, "I don't think BSS shows can get much better than this"
- If I recall correctly, the last song was "Major Label Debut"
- This video of Anthems is amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYLhtIrMn2A
I almost wanted them to end the show after that
- Old-man beard or no old-man beard, Brendan Canning rocks. Anyone else remember hHead?
Is there any way to know/find out if some of "the originals" will be at future BSS tour dates?
To confirm once more;
'Superconnected' was not played, the final song of final encore was in fact 'Major Label Debut'.
Seen BSS countless times and this was easily the best in a few years at least. They never went away, but they are BACK.
It seemed to put Toronto on notice too - silenced the haters.
Haaaaaaaa, I can see my friends and me in the Amy Millan picture.
Anyway, to repeat what many people have already said, the last song was indeed Major Label Debut. Furthermore, Anthems with Emily Haines? AoH's Soul Unwind with Feist banging maracas at Brendan's feet? A ridiculously amazing rendition of Bandwitch to finish the show before its FOUR encores?! BEST. SHOW. EVER. It's three days later and I'm still reveling in its utter awesomeness.
The first picture above actually depicts the entire complement of the band, together first the first time in one location.
@MAX
102.1 The Edge's Tribute To Martin Streek
A Celebration Of The Music That Mattered To Him
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
102.1 The Edge, or www.edge.ca.
228 Yonge St.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=110160627180&ref=nf
Thousands of people get laid off. I feel bad for Martin Streek.
It wasn't the greatest situation but I'd hardly say it drove him to the grave, obviously there are other issues at hand if he couldn't bounce back from a lay off. Come on. We should be using this as an example of hidden mental illness and not blame his employer. If striking CUPE workers kill themself for dedicating their life to the city, and are getting unfair treatment would you say the same thing? That the city drove them to their grave.
I love the look that girl is giving the photographer in the first photo.
I am sad I missed this concert.
There is a huge turn around in radio. Constant change of DJ's and hosts, station to station - city to city - up and down the dial. Where are all the other CFNY originals? Not on the air at the EDGE, things change. He dedicated himself to his company like many GM workers do. It is a tragic situation and he has many friends and co-workers still at the station, they are best to media outlet to do on air memorial.
i agree with the headline, it was their best show ever, and one of the best shows i've ever seen. wonderful night, full of genuine love from the band to the crowd and to the city. thanks BSS. cool.
p.s. add to a great show, the kevin-isms crack me up. 'enjoy your lives, kids.' 'i still fucking love you' he's a sweetheart.
at least dave newfeld was at the olympic island concert in 2006, im holding on to that as BSS greatest show ever *jealous*
I'm sure this was a great show, I didn't actually see the show but I was around and heard it.
But I think it was a bit exaggerated.. the best show ever? Not really. I think you have to be a dedicated fan to enjoy it so much (recognize the songs, etc) . As an outsider, when any band plays an extended 8 minute version of a songs- especially if they are instrumental, it gets a little boring. And BSS do this Every.Single.Time I've seen them (which is about 4 times)
It's probably a blast for the musicians because they are surrounded by friends, but as an audience member it gets tiresome.
I've heard this from several viewers of their previous shows.
drained on, your so wrong, you more or less been hoisted on your own petard as you were not there. it has taken me a week to come down and savour it.
Hands UP for me it was definitely one of the greatest shows that I've seen bss do and i've seen them many times. even before they hit the stage, there was a celebratory festive spirit and palatable anticipatory buzz in the audience. Was it the crappy staycation non-summer weather and frigging garbage strike that has worn us down, and the offering of a free show with hits galore bss band replete with the divas/jc et al? (you betcha!) the rare reunion of bss alumni right there, right then in their home town was truly special. was it the camera crew that gave it a sense of occasion? the psa from kevin/brendan about the strike (parks are for people not garbage.) the band was clearly pumped and they delivered an off the hook show that was glorious and magnificent in its awesomeness. as many of said, i am not sure if i even want to seem them again as i don't know if they can top what i witnessed last weekend. there are not many bands around today that could have delivered as great and wonderful of a performance as they unleashed last Saturday. i feel grateful and fortunate and privileged to bear witness to them at their peak powers. It's also wonderful to hear that it's been documented for prosperity and for those who may have not been able to attend in person you had to be there. thank you bss for performing a public service and making me feel proud to live in this city. weather, garbage strike, swine flu, recession, whatever you've cured my summertime blues. they should give bss the keys to the city as they owned it that night. thank you bss.
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