IndieSolo Forums: indie week 2010

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   Indie Week 2010 was the biggest festival thus far. With 168 bands from nine countries, the festival was a multicultural gathering with representatives from all over Canada, the U.S., Australia, Ireland, Greece, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and Poland. In fact, there were so many international bands, countries like Ireland, Australia and Japan all had their own showcases during the festival.

As it is always the case during these festivals, it’s impossible to see everyone, but here is a selection of bands that made the festival great, stood out, and represented the wide range of genres that were performed during the five day independent music spectacle in downtown Toronto through October 13th to 17th, 2010.

Toronto’s very own A Primitive Evolution made it to the finals and was the runner up to this year’s winner. The band delivered a stellar performance with their rocking tunes with groovy bass lines. Their music was supported by artwork from drummer Stu Dead’s Playdead Cult and back ground singers during their song DEATH ON WHEELS. As always, the band fronted by singer Brett Carruthers entertained the audience from the first to last song. Congratulations to the band on a well deserved second place.

A Primitive Evolution 

A Primitive Evolution

A Primitive Evolution

A Primitive Evolution 

From the Canada’s east coast came Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold to entertain with well crafted songs. Front man Tim Chaisson is a very talented musician with a beautiful voice and many talents, as he plays not only the guitar but also keyboard and the violin. During the night, the band’s bass player couldn’t make it from Prince Edward Island, so Big Sugar’s former bass player Gordie Johnson helped out the band and played an impeccable set.

Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold

Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold

Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold 

All the way from Australia came a band called Roymackonkey. During the Australian showcase, the band played their dynamic and at times hard hitting tunes and definitely left a lasting impression with the audience.

Roymackonkey

Roymackonkey 

The band Mrs. Johnston from St. Catherines, Ontario put on a very entertaining set of original songs but also cover songs from The Killers and alike that got the audience dancing.  

Mrs. Johnston

Bluespoon is a band from Toronto and Australia. The three piece band played an acoustic set that was peppered with story telling in between songs that engaged the audience during their performance.

Bluespoon

Bluespoon 

With very catchy tunes and with an entertaining performance it was not a surprise that Atlantis Blueprint made it into the semi-finals this year. The joy the band brings to the stage is very contagious. A highlight of their set was when singer Adam Skinner during a song and without missing a beat switched with drummer Raul Ponce who came to the front of the stage to play percussion while Adam was playing the drums.

Atlantis Blueprint

Atlantis Blueprint 

Toronto’s Mary Rose Obsession played a very good set of their rock pop tunes with great hooks. Unfortunately during the set there seemed to be a problem with either the microphone or loudspeakers as the voice seemed to be a bit distorted. Otherwise, the set was great and the band showcased their great stage presence.

Mary Rose Obsession

Mary Rose Obsession

Mary Rose Obsession 

An entirely instrumental set was played by Maneli Jamal . Jamal did a fabulous job in telling the audience what his songs were about beforehand and the story behind the songs, so that it was easy to follow and hear the story in his instrumental musical expressions. 

Maneli Jamal 

An outstanding performance was delivered by Scotty James from Waterloo. This singer/songwriter performed his original acoustic tunes and a memorable cover song ‘Come on Get Higher” by Matt Nathanson. Scotty James vocal abilities are outstanding and his tone colour is very pleasant and memorable and reminiscent of a young John Mayer. This is definitely an artist to look out for in the future.

Scotty James

Scotty James 

Irish singer/songwriter Simon Fagan from Dublin played every night of the festival. A great stage presence and story telling around and within the songs captured the audiences’ attention every time he performed.

Simon Fagan

Simon Fagan 

Faye Blais and her band entertained her audience with folk songs. Her voice is remarkable and the songs are easy to listen to. 

Faye Blais 

Serena Pryne & the Mandevilles  shared the second place in the finals with A Primitive Evolution and put on a highly energetic performance. Her captivating and positive persona drew the audience into their set of country rock music and made it fun to watch.

Serena Pryne & the Mandevilles 

Another fun show was put on by Toronto’s The Little Black Dress. Impeccable performance of a cross-genre extravaganza that is very catchy and danceable. For example their song CALL THE PAPARAZI seemed to get the whole room moving, whether people knew the song or not. 

The Little Black Dress

The Little Black Dress 

A band from Lodz in Poland called L.Stadt put on a very strong performance of rock music that seems to be an interesting blend of ‘80s rock married with influences reminiscent of Leningrad Cowboys and modern alternative rock. Sunglasses on stage and a coordinated stage performances easily drew in the audience.

L.Stadt

L.Stadt 

The winner of this year’s indie week is These Electric Lives who showcased their radio friendly electronic pop rock songs. Very tight performances and very danceable tunes convinced not only the audience, but also the judges. These Electric Lives are going to Ireland to perform at indie week Ireland in 2011. Congratulations to These Electric Lives!

Photo of These Electric Lives by Chloe Gedmintas 

To view the winning announcement, check out this video.

Edited by melintoronto - Nov.04.2010 at 9:37pm