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By Christine Lariviere - The Lonesome Strangers - 11/19/2008

The backdrop of the stage at Cabaret Juste Pour Rire was draped with a 10-foot long graphic of a boy wearing a skeleton shirt, the bottom of the poster bearing the word “M83.”  The stage itself was lit with electric blue lights emanating from over-elaborate, futuristic looking equipment.  There was a synthesizer, a Mac laptop, guitars, and drums, which were quartered off by transparent sheets of plastic.  The entire setup looked as though the crowd, mainly clustered by the front of the stage, was in for an intense laser light show, along with a musical performance. 

While there were no streaks of light darting about the venue, the music itself seemed at times to resemble the tones one would hear when watching a Star Wars lightsaber battle.  Actually, more like several lightsaber battles occurring simultaneously (the thought warms my geeky heart).  Such is the style of M83’s music, an eclectic mix of low lyrics, with loud, climbing layers of electronic instrumentals. M83’s forte is arguably their ability to layer music, and increase tempo in such a way that it builds towards an anticipated, climactic moment.  These moments in songs such as, “Moonchild,” “Highway of Endless Dreams” and opener “Run Into Flowers” often inspired the audience to burst into dance.       

M83 played additional crowd favorites including “Kim & Jessie,” a hit off their latest album, Saturdays = Youth, released in April of this year, and “Don’t Save Us From the Flames,” a song about a car crash, which was ironically used in a Pontiac commercial. 

When the show was coming to a close, M83 founder Anthony Gonzalez graciously thanked the crowd and played an encore.  The group, formed in France almost eight years ago by Gonzalez and former member Nicholas Fromageau, now includes several new members, contributing skills on the drums, vocals, guitar and synth.        

Brooklyn-based School of Seven Bells, a three-member band formed in 2006, opened the show. Consisting of two guitarists and one keyboardist, School of Seven Bells played songs off their recently released, first full-length album Alpinisms.  Their music is similar to M83 because of the use of layered, reverb-drenched instrumentals, but with a much more low-key vibe.     

By Adrian Warner - Eclectricity - 11/13/2008

I was pleased to learn I would be seeing The Herbaliser perform live at Le National this past November.  I have known about Herbaliser for years, but not familiar enough with their music for my own liking.  Prior to the concert, I had known of their production, their reputation for good music and seen their releases along my travels.  A few months ago, I listened to a podcast of one of my favorite EVR shows and found out the guest on that show was Herbaliser DJ Ollie Teeba.  He played tracks from their new release and talked about the changes within the group.  He mentioned that Herbaliser basically increased to nearly half a dozen members, added a female vocalist named Jessica Greenfield, and became more instrument-based.

If I knew little about Herbaliser, that podcast helped prepare me for November 12.  I arrived at Le National to see Canadian act Grand Analog spinning for the people in attendance.  Grand Analog took the stage with an eclectic set of hip hop, rock and reggae music.  Grand Analog did a great job of opening for Herbaliser.  I feel they were a perfect fit considering how Herbaliser's music incorporates many genres.

Next was Herbaliser and they did not disappoint.  True to word, the stage had six members on it and in the back of my mind, I wondered if the female vocalist would appear.  After two or three funky instrumentals, a tall brunette strolled on stage and sang with the band.  I recognized a few of the tracks they performed from the podcast, mainly because they were the ones she sang on.  Other than that, I was experiencing the new Herbaliser sound for the first time.

There was a decent crowd that night.  It was not like the KRS show in March where it was shoulder to shoulder, but a good turnout nonetheless. Perhaps the weeknight performance explains why the venue was not more packed.  I listened and looked for crowd reactions to certain songs, but there were no real peaks and squeals from the audience.  If what I heard and learned about Herbaliser transforming into a Soulive or Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and them not performing their earlier material is what occurred, then that explains why the audience did not react to their set more enthusiastically.  I am not stating the audience did not respond or appreciate the performance, but I feel that the others were experiencing this updated Herbaliser outfit for the first time as well.  Many times after a song, the frontman on trumpet would have to rouse the audience a little.  Again, that was probably because of the unfamiliarity of the crowd to the new group and sound.  I realized that the audience was happy to see Herbaliser and hear good live music that night, even if they were collectively a bit subdued. 

During the show, local rapper More Or Les joined the group to perform a track.  I enjoyed the track but I would have loved to have heard his lyrics a bit more clearly.  Near the end of the concert, the audience was so into it that they naturally asked for an encore.  It would have been nice if they performed a more upbeat number, but it was still nice to hear more Herbaliser.

A special note has to be made about DJ Ollie Teeba.  From an aspiring DJ point of view, it was particularly interesting to see him perform with the group.  His technical prowess on the turntables fit perfectly with the musicians. During some tracks, he used the turntables as an instrument.  The scratching and tricks gave an added flavor to the live instrumental performances.  I hope to be able as skilled as Ollie Teeba on the turntables one day. 

Herbaliser announced they will return to Montreal for the 2009 Jazz Festival.  I will continue to familiarize myself with past and present Herbaliser music and hopefully will enjoy them then like I did that November night.

By Beatrice Bernard-Poulin - The Kids are So-So - 11/21/2008

When the lights dimmed and a man who strangely resembled Cisco Adler started singing a slow song acapella, many in the crowd looked at their neighbour wondering if that was the next cool thing they should like. While that was only a sound test, the long-haired singer came back to the stage a few minutes later with the strangest assortment of band members: one who looked like a Hanson brother, another like a hippie, a pop punk and an emo kid, and a metal head on drums. A little before 8:00pm, Carolina Liar started their first song. Unfortunately for them, their whole half hour set drew a mixed reaction from the crowd. The bands’ sound – like The Killers gone way, WAY wrong – was not what was expected and wanted by the teenage girls present (and the odd 20-year-old boy and his girlfriend).

As soon as the drum tech brought out the drums that read “We the Kings,” the crowd went insane and when singer Travis Clark, with his trademark long red hair, made his way to the stage, the screams grew even louder. We the Kings’ pop punk sound brings nothing new to the table, but is still absolutely effective, and the band members’ energy throughout the whole set was infectious. Strangely, after only half an hour, the band members left the stage, just to be acclaimed by the chants of the crowd to come back. Clark’s call to stop red head extinction “which is bound to happen in 25 years” made the crowd scream even louder. Red truly is the colour of the day, as the popularity of the band’s “I Love Red Heads” t-shirt among concert-goers clearly demonstrated. If some people still needed convincing, they ended their set with their megahit “Check Yes Juliet” and the whole crowd started jumping up and down and dancing all while trying to capture most of the song on their digital camera.

Clearly, most of the people present at Medley were there for The Academy Is… When their banner went up on the Medley stage, the excitement could be felt throughout the venue. After We the Kings’ energetic set, TAI’s first song seemed to be slightly off, but that did not stop the bulk of the crowd near the front of the stage to start screaming – screams that would not stop until the end of the set. As soon as the song was over, things fell back into place, as well as singer William Beckett’s impressive ability to run all over the stage, jumping and shaking his hands while remained for the rest of the set. The band even dared a cover of Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.” and while many in the crowd did not seem to recognize the song that did not alter their excitement. Beckett even said that this show was the best time he’d had in a while, a comment that, of course, drew a crazy reaction from the crowd. For the encore, Beckett played two songs by himself on the guitar, including a brand new song written only two weeks ago. The rest of the band then came out for more, and when the set finally ended a little after 11:00pm, kids rushed to get their winter jackets to go wait by the buses, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite band member.

By Sophia Linhares - Colour It Indie - 08/03/2008

DAY 1

Osheaga 2008 started off a little pear shaped, what with the immense crowd of high school kids in flat shoes. Aside from that the weather wasn't all that great either. Luckily it didn't rain as much as expected…just a few drops of water here and there.

Louis XIV was one of the first bands to hit the stage. They had great stage presence and played all their fans favorites. N.E.R.D and Plants and Animals played awesome sets as well. Though it seemed the audiences in front of each stage were in small numbers for the first half of the day; which was quite unfortunate.

The party truly started when Metric hit the mobile stage. They opened with their all too popular song "Dead Disco" and what perfect timing they had because that was when people really started rolling in out of nowhere. It was nice to see the new generation of neon kids dancing away on the muddy ground.

The vibe changed entirely from electro-clash neon dancing to the funky soul rhythms of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, which worked out well (who doesn't enjoy a little soul music?) It was tough for a lot of people considering that Duchess Says were performing at the same time on the MEG stage. Those who planned out the entire day carefully, were fortunate enough to see Duchess Says and still catch a good part of Sharon Jones.

Actually like many festivals everyone had their schedules in hand and a keen eye on their watch in order to get the most out of the entire day, which on the whole was not what you'd expect from Osheaga, although it was a fairly relaxing day of mildly good music.

Thank god for Iggy Pop, what an amazing show… honestly who better to finish off the day but The Stooges? Exposing all too much of themselves while performing. A memorable moment was when Iggy called the audience on to the stage with them, and of course all hell broke loose as bodyguards fought to keep  people from jumping on stage. Still as always a small few made it passed them and partied with Iggy for a song or two.

There was the expected over hype of underage attention for The Killers, who topped off the night with a flair of lights and smoke. Let's not forget their endless list of catchy tunes that had the kids singing along and jumping the night away. Though they did do a great set, it was hard to follow an artist as renowned as Iggy Pop and a large percentage of the crowd had left after his performance.

DAY 2

Now Day 2 of Osheaga 2008 was strangely the opposite of Day 1. The crowd was three times the amount of people that were there the day before with far fewer youngsters, which was surprising to me even if I myself preferred the lineup of bands for Day 2. Maybe this was due to what a nice day it was. Even I got a little tanned.

The first band to really start off the day was The Kills. They drew everyone to the quiet nook in the trees where the MEG stage was hidden. This was the stage noted to be "the place to be" throughout Osheaga's short history. Maybe because it was one of the more intimate stages, perhaps for the cozy cushions and small tables to the right, or just maybe it was the wonderful smell of La Chilenita's tent selling empanadas and burritos for a small fee. Though honestly I'd say it’s due to it having the beer tent with the shortest line up, but who knows really?

The day was an overall hit with exceptionally amazing performances from bands like The Weakerthans; with their smooth melodic tunes that make you want to rush over to HMV and buy their album. The Go Team; who must have had the most colorful crowd of the entire festival. The Black keys, MGMT and CSS; who got the scenesters all riled up. As always, Broken Social Scene played such an amazing set with the wonderful stage presence they have every time they come to town. I have to say I had the most fun when Gogol Bordello hit the stage. If not for the bands crazy antics making me laugh, then for the great music. It was worth seeing the expression on peoples faces who didn't know them. They stared up at them, boggled and confused, but by the end they were clapping their hands and taping their heels to the song "Start Wearing Purple.” Unfortunately the band didn't play “Through the Roof Underground” which was one of their most popular songs due to the movie “Wristcutters”. None the less the band made up for its absence with two Asian go-go girls who kept running on and off stage. Finally, how can I leave without mentioning that Jack Johnson was the perfect person to finish off this beloved festival, with his folky beats intertwined with a reggae feel.

So over all Osheaga was a success even though many of the big names had canceled including The Foals, Eddy Grant and The Enemy, which did disappoint a lot of people including myself. We did have some surprises from the unscheduled bands that took their place though. It seems this year’s Osheaga was on a bit off a down slide from the ones before it. True it had its moments, yet nothing can beat the lineup of bands which were a part of Osheaga 2006 and 2007. They both also had far more bands than this year. I'm not sure what to expect for next year but I do have high hopes for Osheaga for it has already been one of those occasions some of us wait all year for.

Tune into Colour It Indie with Sophia every Thursday from 12PM – 2PM