Plants and Animals

Plants and Animals play in harmony at Lee's Palace

Plants and Animals first appeared on my radar — I'm not from Clinton, but I do take pride in my radar (and in obscure references to small town Ontario) — when they were shortlisted for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize. Those Polaris folks are smart, so I knew they were a band worth watching. Admittedly, I hadn't been paying them much attention lately, but that made my visit to Lee's Palace all the more intriguing.

Plants and Animals

Plants and Animals music could alternately be described as folk, rock, and sometimes even orchestral. What really came through during their live show, however, was how honest it is. The vocals are raw and effortless — nothing seems contrived or forced. It's like the band members jumped out of one womb together and have been playing these songs and hanging out ever since (I wonder who the mother is?).

Plants and Animals

Starting their set with a "rousing rendition" (copyright: anyone who has ever written a music review ever) of "Bye Bye Bye", Plants and Animals created a great vibe that lasted throughout the night. By the time they were deep into the second song, I was screaming "I love this band!" (in my head)...and had developed a schoolgirl crush on guitarist/vocalist Warren Spicer. Newsflash: musicians are sexy. I wasn't the only one experiencing this belated revelation; my friend and I heard numerous people whistling at him.

Plants and Animals

For the heartbreaking "Game Shows" the band was joined by "Mike" who accompanied them on cello (I am absolutely certain it was a cello). Next they played "Lightshow," which is one of those songs in one of those keys that pulls at your heart and makes it ache in a good way.

I could've watched them for hours, and luckily the band obliged with a long encore including a cover of The Band's "The Weight" — a nice little tribute from one Canadian band to another. Plants and Animals truly have heart and soul... And are probably getting "hot loving every night." Sorry.

Plants and AnimalsPlants and Animals

Photos by Bruce Emberley


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Music

Phoenix Concert Theatre won't be closing in Toronto next year after all

There's a three-day Indigenous music festival in Toronto next month

Toronto is about to get inundated with Taylor Swift themed events and pop-ups

Rufus Du Sol announce Toronto concert date

Win tickets and epic prize pack to see Pitbull in Toronto

Rogers Centre in Toronto gets $8 million upgrade for Taylor Swift concerts

Here are all the times Taylor Swift came to Toronto on a concert tour

Drake and his dad make surprise appearance at Toronto bar