Juliette Lewis , Band of Skulls @ The Opera House - 09.11.2009

Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Juliette Lewis was in town on double duty this weekend promoting her upcoming film "Whip It!" and of course playing a gig at the Opera House with her band The New Romantiques. Juliette has been providing us with her musical contributions for years. Her earliest being on the soundtracks of her films "Natural Born Killers" and "Strange Days". To be honest I wasn't quite listening back then. However having heard some of her new album "Terra Incognita" I was compelled to see what Juliette could bring to a live audience.


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Having watched her performance of "Fantasy Bar" on Craig Ferguson's Late Late show I had an idea that she might be fun to watch. There's no doubt that she brings everything she's got to a performance. Everything from the screeching vocals, to the feathered outfit, to the knee pads its obvious Juliette is there to rock. Though I was not blown away I found the performance to be very energetic and entertaining. Juliette Lewis seems to have surpassed the efforts of some of her fellow Hollywood actors/musicians winning over a loyal fan base who helped her sing along to one of my favourite tracks on the new album "Suicide Dive Bombers".


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

---

Band of Skulls

Band of Skulls @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Band of Skulls opened the show at the Opera House. I missed out on NXNE this year and Band of Skulls was one of the bands I was most looking forward to seeing. To say I was happy to see them back so soon is an understatement. This British trio was formed in 2008 and have put out a very impressive debut album "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey" with great tracks "I Know What I Am", "Impossible", "Fires", "Blood". Yeah I can go on and on I really like this album. I enjoyed their live performance just as much. The vocal combination of Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson works very well together. Their bluesy rock will be compared to Jack White and the White Stripes or Dead Weather but that can only be viewed as a compliment. There is much more to Band of Skulls. I'll be glad to see them again next time they make it to town.

Los Campesinos! @ The Opera House

Los Campesinos! @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr
I'd been waiting a while for Los Campesinos! to come back to Toronto. Having been listening to their two cds "Hold On Now Youngster" and "We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed" I couldn't wait to hear their youthful enthusiasm live. This enthusiasm and the boundless energy of their sound which can be quite loud and boisterous, is really brought out and enhanced in their live show. Their building melodies, driving beats and shouting vocals brought life to their fans who wanted to do nothing more than dance manically to songs like "Ways To Make It Through The Wall", "We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed", and "You! Me! Dancing!". The sound of glockenspiels, beautiful strings and witty lyrics of Gareth Campesino filled the Opera House as they played crowd favourite "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks". Then when we thought we'd seen the best Gareth went on to turn all the monitors up on their sides as the entire band moved up closer to the crowd and climbed the monitors to play finish off their set. I think this would have satisfied the crowd at the Opera House but it wasn't enough for the band as a few of them decided to get into the dancing crowd to finish off their set. Unfortunately three songs no flash rules don't allow for us to capture such moments. It will however stick in my mind for a while and in the minds of the fans who got to share a sweet moment with the band. Great job Campesinos!