Last night NYC's Asobi Seksu, along with These Electric Lives, played an intimate show at the Horseshoe Tavern.

Burgeoning local act These Electric Lives (who have a new EP in the works) were as tight as ever, playing a solid opening set. Finishing with a bang with "We Should Be Believing" (a personal favourite of mine) primed the crowd nicely for what was to come.

As Asobi Seksu took to the stage, we all lost a little elbow room as spaces filled in tightly. "Can we get the lights down a little more please... a little more... more please?" lead singer Yuki pleaded. The string of blue lights she and her band mates placed around the stage took on a gentle glow. But it wasn't long before that ambient glow was obliterated by intense strobes, wailing guitars, and booming vocals. I'm sure it's been asked many times before, by many fans and first-time observers alike - how does someone so tiny have such a booming voice? Asobi Seksu made me temporarily deaf and blind, but I had a smile on my face all the while. Especially fun was their rendition of the 60's girl group The Crystals classic "And Then He Kissed Me". It was also great to see (and practice my extremely rusty Japanese with) all the Japanese Torontonians at the show.

More photos: here