The great part about Rifflandia weekend is that even if you are not going to Victoria, if you are stuck in Vancouver, half the bands end up coming to you anyway.
That was the case last night as there was an embarrassment of concert riches in Vancouver, and even if you couldn't make it to, say, Modest Mouse at Malkin Bowl... there were still great options like Tokyo Police Club at the Imperial.

Opening the night was Kamloops band Van Damsel. And even though they've been in the Peak Performance Project twice now, seeing them live somehow eluded me, so I was interested to check them out.
The four-piece came out and launched into a funky instrumental number before addressing the crowd, saying they were happy to be there, met with woos and applause (an unofficial survey from on stage saw that there were more than a few other Kamloopers in the audience).
They put on a solid set filled with energetic and catchy alt-pop-rock, with a bit of a 90s vibe. Lead singer Sebastien Ste Marie captivating the crowd, occasionally getting right down to the front of the stage, and leading clapping and waving of arms.
They played for about half an hour and ended with their current hit, "Best of Everything" -- probably the highlight of their set -- and while it was nothing groundbreaking, it was a fun, high-energy set. And I won't be surprised when they at least place in the top three for the PPP this year, if not win.

It wasn't too long before Tokyo Police Club hot the stage under the giant banner with their name on it (in case we forgot). They are actually one of those bands that I have always enjoyed when they come on the radio, but never really delved more into. However their live shows are really fun, and since it had been five years since I last saw them, I figured it was about time.
They opened the set with "Breakneck Speed", fitting in both the pace of the energy (high) and the repeated line in the chorus, "it's good to be back", with the feeling that singer David Monks was addressing Vancouver.
From there they blasted through their high energy indie-rock songs, reminding you of just how many hits the band has; the power-pop anthem "Hot Tonight", the crunchy "Favourite Colour", the darker and edgier "Tunnel Vision", "Toy Guns" with its increasingly poignant theme. And that was just in the first half of the set.
The highlight for me was all three parts of the ambitious 9-minute long "Argentina", winding from bouncy and upbeat, to moody and thoughtful, to spiralling instrumental portions, and right back to an catchy ending. I actually thought that would be the finale of the main set, but they had a few more songs for us before wrapped up with a pair of old favourites, "Wait Up (Boots of Danger)" and the raucous "Your English Is Good".
And of course, they were back soon for a few more. First just Monks and drummer Greg Alsop came out at first for the encore, playing a request of "Hands Reversed" before being joined once more by keyboardist Graham Wright and Josh Hooks on guitar for a rockin' cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and in one final burst of manic energy, "Cheer It On".

The first time I saw Tokyo Police Club, something like eight years ago, they sped through their headlining set in about 40 minutes, bursting with energy. And which they still have the same energy, they have managed to pace it out a bit more (having a few more albums to draw from probably helps) for what is still an incredibly fun show.

setlist
Breakneck Speed, Hot Tonight, Favourite Colour, Not Sick, Miserable, Tunnel Vision, Toy Guns, PCH, End of a Spark, Bambi, Shoulders and Arms, Be Good, Argentina (Parts I, II, III), Nature of the Experiment, Frankenstein, Wait Up (Boots of Danger), Your English is Good.
(encore) Hands Reversed, Since U Been Gone [Kelly Clarkson cover], Cheer It On.