ALL OVER CALGARY – JUNE 21, 2012

Click here for our Day Two photo gallery.

The Zolas
Palomino (upstairs)

Bitingly cold, refreshing Steam Whistles on the Palomino patio were the perfect antidote to the sun’s beating summer rays. It was a low-key afternoon, spent placidly amongst friends listening to one of Vancouver’s best pop exports. The Zolas have nigh perfected their quirky, progressive, cabaret-ish pop, which deliciously chased the beers down. (Sebastian Buzzalino)

Slates
Palomino (upstairs)

I had been stoked on finally seeing Slates, out of Edmonton, all day. They play earnestly aggressive, expressive punk (think Replacements right before they softened) and, as the final act of the Audio Blood, Steam Whistle and BeatRoute party, enchanted a small-ish crowd gathered upstairs at the Palomino. The wait was well worth it! (Sebastian Buzzalino)

Witchstone
Commonwealth

The psychedelic jams of Witchstone were already underway when we arrived and the house was already respectably attended for the early show. The five piece act – whose music borrows the best elements of the modern doom stylings of Church of Misery and Sleep, but throws in some free jazz elements that make it absolutely unique – had incited a gaggle of headbangers and dancers, some who drunkenly viewed in and out of the venue whilst the remainder were transfixed. (Sarah Kitteringham)

The Weir
Commonwealth

The Weir: saw ‘em yesterday, needed to see them again. This was the band’s last performance for some time and, despite the constant technical difficulties, the band played on like champs. When guitarist Alex Kurth blew his amp, he placed his guitar down and howled into the microphone while his bandmates rocked on. When the technical elements were on point – personified by all three guitarists simultaneously howling while bringing the blow – everything went swimmingly. When the technical elements bitched, the guys didn’t, so neither did we. (Sarah Kitteringham)

BORIS
Commonwealth

Boris was brash, bold and bravely beautiful noise. Walking up the stairs at Commonwealth, you could feel the heat emanating off the bodies of those who were mesmerized by the noise. It was as if their bodies were metabolizing the sound and sweating it back out. The stage was covered in a fitting, bluish haze from a combination of fog machines and the strange humidity. These Japanese experimental rockers put out a gorgeous sound and it was loud and, at times, thunderous (ear plugs recommended). (Caitlyn Browning)

Prince Rama
Broken City

The Brooklyn-based fiery feminine duo, Prince Rama, brought huge energy with incredible tribal drumming and edgy organ vibes. With glitter on their cheeks, they made love with their eyes and left everyone wanting more, seductively stealing the show from the headliners to follow. (Cait Lepla)

Shabazz Palaces
Broken City

Seattle’s Shabazz Palaces dynamically combined traditional African instruments and electronic mixing with their spoken-word hip hop style, but their less conscious lyricism somehow didn’t have the same sort of honour. There was a lingering air of anticipation, perhaps to be satiated at their next show tonight. (Cait Lepla)

Miesha & the Spanks
Dickens Pub

Eager to view the Hot Snakes from front row centre, my group of friends and I headed to Dickens Pub, who seem to be getting ALL the greats this year. Apparently, we had arrived a bit prematurely as Calgary favourites, Miesha & the Spanks, had yet to play an opening chord. When they did, the crowd shuffled forward and bobbed their heads for the subdued punk and roll. It was a consistent set, though unremarkable. (Sarah Kitteringham)

The Soft Option
Dickens Pub

The Soft Option had the most bitching dance moves this side of Western Canada (yesterday was certainly a day for learning about new bands I had yet to see)! Though my mind was bleary from alcohol, my body responded through the awkward shuffle bob, and the band’s dance-y rock was the perfect soundtrack. (Sarah Kitteringham)

Night Committee
Dickens Pub

Night Committee was easily one of the evening’s highlights. Rounded out by Calgary everyman Lorrie Matheson, Night Committee performed a perfect blend of ‘90s-inspired post punk. By now, everyone was sweaty, smelling like shit and having an absolute blast. The perfect band to open for Hot Snakes, given their musical worship, Night Committee’s blend of driving guitar rhythms, keyboard sounds and samples and rollicking beats helped the alcohol flow freely. (Sarah Kitteringham)

Hot Snakes
Dickens Pub

Hot Snakes broke up back in 2005 and their recent reunion sent fan boys and girls into an absolute tizzy for justifiable reasons. The manic audience, who surged forward at every opportunity, enthralled the American post-hardcore band. With a spotless set list, including tracks from across their discography, such as “Braintrust,” “Suicide Invoice,” “XOX” and “If Credit’s What Matters I’ll Take Credit,” the audience was thrilled. A lone crowd surfer pulled at shoulders, ripped hair and leapt moronically into a willing crowd, while the quartet dripped sweat, passed beers to a few lucky audience members (thanks!) and joked about their previous time in Calgary playing a gay bar in 1982. Hot Snakes ripped up the stage, sweat poured from their brows, soaked their shirts and instruments, and made everyone go home grinning from ear to ear smelling of the person behind’s unwashed junk. THAT’S SLED ISLAND! (Sarah Kitteringham)

Humans
The East Village Block Party

A collaboration between Vancouver folk singer Robbie Slade and Montreal expatriate Peter Ricq, the boys in Humans were nothing but astonishing yesterday when they played at the incredibly successful East Village Block Party to a crowd basking in the last few delicious rays of sunshine as the first day of summer drew to a close on the shores of the Bow River. Saddling a few genres, the two boys flitted between trance, pop and groove electronica during the set, ending their show with their well-known track, “De Ciel,” a sonic sky-scape where driven bass slams propel an introspective melody that’s made plangent by humming vocals, distant sirens and episodes of beautiful simplicity. (Christine Waiand)

Bonjay
HiFi Club

Bonjay was nothing short of exquisite when performing to a packed house at the HiFi last night. The duo, comprised of Alanna Stuart as vocalist and Ian “Pho” Swain as producer, combines the best of Stuart’s diverse vocals and Swain’s catchy, electro-rap production. Their set really showed off Stuart’s strong soulful voice, which employs a wide range of melodic influences, from her West Indian roots to hip-hop/club hooks.

Their style is original and contagious in its combination of dancehall R&B with indie electro. Their set was a perfect accompaniment to the late night, high-energy crowd at HiFi and a bright spot on the Sled Island schedule. Highlights from the show included “Stumble,” “Frawdulent,” an upbeat hip-hop track reminiscent of M.I.A. with a retro-soul refrain, and the layered polyrhythmic beats of “Want a Gang.” (Christine Waiand)

Legs
Republik

Acting on a tip (and after a quick pit stop at Milk Tiger for one of their delicious rock and roll cocktails), I made my way to the Republik to catch Legs, for whom a small but dedicated crowd had gathered. It ended up not being what I was expecting, but the show was fascinating nonetheless. The trio’s approach to rock and roll has more in common with a seance than anything else and frontwoman Allie Sheldan entranced her following. (Sebastian Buzzalino)

Cannon Bros
Republik

Word of this Winnipeg power pop duo has been spreading like wildfire and it’s easy to see why: Cannon Bros are like a resplendent ray of sunshine during a fearsome Manitoban winter. The happy-go-lucky duo bopped and bounced their way through their set, entertaining a rapidly growing crowd who were waiting for Reigning Sound later that evening. If you have a chance to see them again this weekend, don’t miss out! (Sebastian Buzzalino)

by Team BeatRoute

Slates photo: Sebastian Buzzalino