Remember When We Were Teenagers?

Tegan and Sara
Malkin Bowl
September 24th, 2010
You Say Party, Christopher Smith

It's my 6th maybe 7th? time attending a Tegan and Sara show. I think having seen so many times... has kind of dulled out the actual live experience for me.

But nonetheless, they are what remind me of my high school memories, as cheesy as it sounds, after a conversation with a few friends who were also in attendance at the show we all concluded that they really had a part in our teen years. I feel old.
And after seeing them live so many times... its hard to be surprised by their songs. It's their banter that keeps us coming back.
I have blogged extensively about Tegan and Sara, be it about shows I've seen or how their records make me feel.... So I think this entry will be a little different, a little more indirect and obscure... expect tangents and going off topic.

I feel obligated to attend their show, in support of their music and also who they are. It's just what you do when you owe someone your teenage sanity, I suppose. I could potentially go into detail about their setlist and performance... but you can read a review from the Vancouver Sun HERE.

Walking into the venue we were just in time to catch You Say Party's set. I have been a fan of theirs for a while now and seeing them perform again (the last time was opening for Phoenix) was a pleasure. I loved their energy and stage presence, Becky was adorable and her vocals were brilliant. So Good. I recommend a listen. Go Here

When Tegan and Sara came onstage I got that feeling... the one you get when you know you know you're going to see something good... something you may want to remember. They started the set off with acoustic songs, Call it Off. Interesting. It gets better. I haven't been to a standing show of theirs for a long time and I forgot how enthusiastic the crowd is, not physically excited.... just vocally. In all of their acoustically driven songs, their vocals were almost indistinguishable from the sing along accompaniment of the audience around me. Mostly younger teens and first time fans. It was adorable.
I had a moment where I thought to myself.. was I ever that fan? Was I ever so excited that I sang so loud I couldn't even hear my own voice afterward? It made me smile and all the while this was happening inside my brain Tegan and Sara continued through their setlist. I felt as if I knew what to expect as each song was played I had somehow trained myself in the weeks, months, and years I had conditioned my ears to recognize and memorize song lyrics off of The Con and So Jealous and If It Was You and so on. I mouthed and bopped my head along to the songs almost as if I was expectantly waiting for the next verse, chorus, bridge...
In truth I hadn't listen to a Tegan and Sara song in a few months... but the lyrics all came back to me, as if I had never removed them from my iPod.

The things I will remember from tonight:
- The audience - Their uninhibited attitude made me enjoy the show more. Don't get so uptight.
- Banter: Ghost - Demi Moore Haircut - Justin Beiber Associations - Swinging a jacket open to acknowledge a breast to prove non Transman status - Teen Audiences - Eye Contact - That's What She Said - The South America Turtle being High Maintenance - Being Happily Single
- Encore of Divided - One of my first favourites.

I found this setlist of the show.

Call It Off
Dark Come Soon
I Know I Know I Know
The Ocean
Like O Like H
Feel It In My Bones
___ (Full Band from here on!)
Living Room
I Bet It Stung
The Con
Walking With Ghost
So Jealous
Nineteen
Hell
Northshore
On Directing
Alligator
Back in Your Head
Where Does the Good Go
Speak Slow
Sentimental Tune
Hop A Place
You Wouldn't Like Me
Encore: Divided

Dance in the Rain

I have never danced in the rain.
I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, I always think I might end up with pneumonia.
Today I danced in the rain, and I loved it.

Scissor Sisters
Malkin Bowl
Outdoors
September 16, 2010
Lights and music and dance and sounds

The moment I walked into the venue with a friend we found shelter underneath the trees away from the rain. We recoiled from it, like it was a bad, bad smell. We worried about our clothes and especially our hair. We just could Not, get our hair wet. Why? Because when wet it impairs us... Let me elaborate, we both wear rimmed glasses... not only are we visually impaired enough, add a lot of blurry rain drops and now it looks like we're looking through a blurry spyglass, we see shapes and lights blurred together... sounds trippy doesn't it? Not when we're trying to catch glimpses of the members of SCISSOR SISTERS.
Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, Babydaddy and Del Marquis. They were all fabulous.

When Scissor Sisters took the stage at around 8:30 after their two openers, Sammy Jo and Casey Spooner, I quickly became soaking wet and was consistently blinded and impaired by both my hair and my misted glasses. Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I shuffled my feet, moved my body and kind of - danced.
I had an amazing time dancing to their songs off of their newest album Night Work, Ta Dah and their Self-Titled.
The setlist included (In no particular order) Night Work, Any Which Way, Skin Tight, Fire With Fire, Something Like This, Skin This Cat, Nightlife, Invisible Light (all from Night Work) I Don't Feel Like Dancing, She's My Man, Kiss You Off (From Ta-Dah) Take Your Mama Out, Comfortable Numb and Filthy/Gorgeous.

The sound at Malkin Bowl was amazing, the lights and lasers really added to the atmosphere of the show. Despite the rain I kept myself warm by dancing. Jake Shears and Ana Matronic worked the stage like no other, they are true performers and Jake braved the cold rain topless for a few songs before deciding that its better to be practical than fashionable and donned a black raincoat... this although did not hide his leather leotard-type outfit he had on. I was impressed by their live vocals and was smiling from ear to ear most of the time. I love their pop-disco-dance music and hearing their songs live really made me adore them even more!

One of the best moments of the night: When Ana Matronic took off her heels and put on her "running shoes" lower heels. Brilliant.
Another highlight also included: Ana Matronic announcing that the Malkin Bowl had a serious design flaw, (the stage not being covered from the rain). Hilarious.
Also: Filthy/Gorgeous deserves a mention. It was the first song I heard from the Scissor Sisters. I immediately became hooked. Their vocals are infectious and it was almost intoxicating. Confetti, glitter and lasers galore.

Until they return to Vancouver for an (Indoor) show, I will think back fondly of their show tonight. Walking home wet, cold and shivering was absolutely worth it.
My ears are still ringing.

Wow. Check out the photos from the show here. Amazing!

It's Quiet Company: Spiders

Who: The National
Venue: Malkin Bowl
When: Sept 10, 2010

So walking into Malkin Bowl I made my way to the merchandise table. Let's say I like to keep something to remember the shows I've seen. The last two shows that I've been lucky enough attend didn't sell artist merchandise, CocoRosie and Joanna Newsom, which was a disappointment. I vowed to make stenciled shirts instead. That project probably won't happen too soon.
In any case, The National sold about 6 different designed t-shirts, a beach towel(It was tempting), vinyls, albums, tote bags, I enjoyed their selections but settled for one tee.

The Walkmen opened the show and was already playing when I arrived. They were mid-set and really reminded me of The National... hm. The same pant-suit outfit, the same sing-scream lyrics... They set a mood which kept us eager for The National to take stage.

The National took to the stage at approximately 8:30, opening with "Anyone's Ghost," Phenomenal. They played songs from Boxer, Alligator and High Violet. We all shuffled our feet, bobbed our heads, moved our arms; with our hands deep in our pockets. The outdoors venue was an interesting setting. All of us had jackets, scarves and toques on. The open space created a sort of unpleasant echo and ring that went off a few times during songs. The songs seemed to keep us warm... well for me at least. Watching Matt Berninger from the audience was brilliant. He's an artist, and somewhat awkward performer that really made us all appreciate the musicality between band members. Berninger stood on stage wringing his hands, punching the air, bending over and squirming between and during songs as if to release some sort of inner demon. It was divine, his mannerisms, I was intrigued and also taken.
My body was shaken by his deep echoing voice, I got chills.
The set included Terrible Love, Slow Show, Fake Empire, All the Wine, Secret Meeting...
In the encore they played Lemonworld, as well as Mr. November. It was a perfect way to spend my Friday.

The highlight for me:
Squalor Victoria: The last couple minutes always leave me with chills, the song builds into a great climax. Loved it.
Fact of the night: Matt also goes by "Dick Jagger" and "Panic Room."

Apologies for the fragmented thoughts. My mind is exhausted.