A Toronto Review

[In The Margins]

And lots of photos (before the lights were turned off).

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/12472 ... x-theatre/

When I heard that Echo & The Bunnymen would be performing at The Phoenix in Toronto, I was raring to go. A big fan of the band since the ‘80s, I never dreamed I’d get to see them perform live—let alone twice, in six months. The first show was back in October, when they played with full orchestral accompaniment at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The audience was treated to plush comfy seats and a mid-show intermission during which bar staff in formal attire served beer and cocktails.

Predictably, the setting at The Phoenix was first’s antithesis: a tightly-packed crowd crammed into a small(ish) venue, strobes flahsing, and noisy bars hugging the stage. In other words, a proper rock venue. Fashionably late, Ian McCulloch appeared on stage with his trade mark cigarette blazing while Will Sergeant assumed his shoegaze stance on guitar. The Bunnymen delighted fans with a steady stream of tunes, pausing between songs only momentarily for McCulloch to mutter indecipherable comments into his mic. Judging by the laughter and applause, some fans seemed to comprehend what he said, or at least pretended to. Highlights included fan-favorites “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo”, “Killing Moon”, and “Bring On The Dancing Horses”. Overall the band played a much more aggressive and much tighter set than the Queen Elizabeth show, which may be a reflection of their near constant touring of late, but they also seemed to feed off the energy of the cheering fans. A fantastic extended version of “Lips Like Sugar” during their second encore closed out the night.

[Kounelaki]

Thanks. That's the venue where Ian played on the Candleland tour (different name at the time).

[withahip]

Very cool venue. Nice place to see them . . . .and get in a fight!!!

[industri]

I was lukewarm on the show. Having seen them the last 5 (or so) times they've come through town has let me watch (barring the Ocean Rain gig) the same set multiple times - and this one just felt a little more listless. Something was "off" for the night.

Add to that the WEIRDEST audience I've seen in ages - looked like a bunch of off-shift construction workers instead of bunny-fans. It was weird. Some really into it (always great), but some too busy drinking, talking, and hitting my wife in the back for kicks to be into the show. Of all the times I've seen them, hands down the worst audience I've seen for the show - especially a let down after the Ocean Rain audience seemed really into it.

Alas... also, I like The Fountain and was looking forward to hearing MORE THAN ONE SONG from the album... would that have been so hard? And if you're going to run through "the hits" - why not throw a Zephyr or Lowdown in there to mix it up a little?

Sadly, I think I'm joining the grumpy masses here. Barring the "Masterclass In Rock" (if it comes to North America) - I don't know that I'll be jumping at the chance to watch the next "greatest hits" show. Even Mac's "improvs" have become stale and predictable.

*sigh*

All the good reviews make me feel like I saw a different show - but there it is.

[withahip]

And no fight?

[Mr. Brian]

All the good reviews make me feel like I saw a different show - but there it is.

In the 80's there was a music reviewer where I live who reviewed some show that never actually occurred. It was canceled yet there was a review in the paper the next day.