HIGHS @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 07/19/16

Last time Toronto's HIGHS was in town, opening for We Are The City, was ahead of the release of their latest album Dazzle Camouflage, and the band was teasing the new material. Now that the album has been released, they returned to Vancouver for their very own headlining show at the Biltmore Cabaret. 

I was running late and missed all of Douse's set, as well as part of locals Smash Boom Pow. I caught the tail end of the duo's set with some solid rock. 

Soon after, the five members of HIGHS took the stage, in front of a floral curtain draped across the back of the stage (and some of the equipment on stage) for a nice atmosphere. They played their entire new album, and a couple from their previous EP, for a set full of fun and upbeat art-rock songs. 
Guitarist Doug Haynes, took care of most vocal duties, but keyboardist Karrie Douglas and Joel Harrower, also on guitar, not only harmonized, but also took centre stage for a couple songs, their voices complimenting each other nicely. 
Highlights of the set included the more intense "Gabriel (Blind Boy)" and "Careful", building from the simmering "Interlude" to burst in a show of harmonies, as well as my favourite of theirs, the joyous and bouncy song that hooked me on the band, "Summer Dress". 
Appropriately enough, the band wrapped up the set with the final song from the album, the swirling "Gold Teeth", finishing off and not bothering with the faux encore tradition. 

It was an energetic and fun set from the band, and I am really looking forward to seeing them again in the future. 

setlist
Closetalkers
Handsome Man
So Sad, Never Mad
Portugal
Gabriel (Blind Boy) 
Interlude
Careful
Nomads
Summer Dress
Acting Strange
I Do, Do You?
Easy
Gold Teeth

Kaylee Johnston EP Release @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 06/03/16

This past Friday, Kaylee Johnston released her new, self-titled EP -- an album four years in the making, by her own admittance -- and celebrated with a show at the Biltmore. 

Unfortunately I missed most of the first act, Matthew V, but from what I heard he had a voice that wow'd the growing crowd. The second act of the night was Windmills (aka Cory Myraas), playing his first Vancouver show in a few months. He took the stage with his guitar, drum pad, and looping gear for his "swoon-pop". Opening the set was "Face to a Name" from his most recent album Measures, as Cory harmonizing with himself and worked his looping building the song to a sweeping crescendo.
He talked with the crowd a bit between songs, thanking everyone there -- and telling a couple of his infamous "dad jokes" -- before his heartfelt songs, like "All Things End" and my favourite from the album, "Shame", as he confessed "You're a mistake worth repeating" 
Aside from his own songs, he also had a few covers in the set, including "In Waves" by Fyfe, and his version of "Lilac Wine", citing both Jeff Buckley and Nina Simone's versions as inspiration. 
It was a strong set from the Kelowna singer, and I look forward to the next time he plays. 

It wasn't long after before Kaylee Johnston and her band took the stage. I had seen her not too long ago, opening for Radio Radio, and remember thinking she could have used a live drummer to fill out the sound. Well, not only did she do exactly that, but recruited one of the finest in the city in Johnny Andrews. 
Poised confidently in a sparkling dress, Johnston danced and stalked the stage, coming right up to the front at times, her powerful voice belting out infection pop songs like "Lonely", in which she vowed to "dance till I don't care", and the raw and eclectic "Are You The One". 
There was a slight misstep with "Kick Drum", causing her to start the song over, but she was able to get the energy back before before toning the set down for a couple songs, pulling out her acoustic guitar for the soaring "Try" and "Let's Pretend", which was dripping with heartbreak. 
Kaylee also slipped a cover into her set, doing a version of Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag" with Windmills providing the object of her affections (you know, the one with "two tickets to Iron Maiden") for a really fun cover. 
She played right up til curfew, capping the night off with her current single, a song that by all rights should be a smash pop hit, "Getting Over You", her voice once again filling the room and getting people dancing. 

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not always that into pop music, but Kaylee's sound has an edge to it, and a raw emotion that pours through. Plus, her voice in undeniable and the songs are ridiculously catchy. I would definitely recommend picking up her brand new EP, and catching her next time she's playing live. 

setlist
Lonely
Caught In The Thick
Are You The One
Kick Drum
Try
Let's Pretend
Teenage Dirtbag [Wheatus cover]
Gone
Getting Over You

Weekly Photo Roundup - December 02, 2015 ft. Michael Jackson Tribute

Weekly Photo Roundup for the week preceding December 02, 2015

Another awesome tribute night took place at the Biltmore last week, this time around being a night of Michael Jackson songs. The usual cast of characters were out both in the house band, and singing on stage...for a rundown (and more photos from the night) check out Kirk's review here.

I'll be off in France covering the Trans Musicales festival and then off to London (and some more Can-Con concerts!), and then Ontario, but Jess will be around with some more show coverage for you. Follow along here and check out the concert calendar for what is happening throughout December!

Photos by Christine McAvoy 

Weekly Photo Roundup - November 25, 2015 ft. Peak Performance Project Finale!, Sam Weber

Weekly Photo Roundup for the week preceding November 25, 2015

That's a wrap on the Peak Performance Project for both 2015 and as a whole! Bed Of Stars came away with 1st place in the comp, JP Maurice in 2nd and Van Damsel in 3rd, all of whom performed at the Commodore Ballroom last week.
Check out Kirk's review here.

Also this week was Vancouver Island's Sam Weber at Guilt and Co for the Roundhouse Radio recording. Be sure to tune in on Sundays, or better yet, head to Guilt for a live show!

Photos by Christine McAvoy 

Jess also checked out Taylor Swift Tribute Night at the Biltmore Cabaret last Wednesday with the likes of Sarah Jickling, The Response, Gina Loes, Jocelyn Price, Shylo Sharity, Savvie and more. It was also a fundraiser for the Women's Health Collective, and we're happy to say it sold out, so thanks to everyone who filled the house for the awesome renditions of T-Swift and a good cause.