concert

Dua Lipa

style

We had the absolute pleasure of seeing Dua Lipa play for the second time, with a fabulous show at Echo Beach. She was gracious, charming and sounded like heaven.

One of the highlights, after a glorious show, was when Whitney Houston’s “I wanna dance with somebody” came on, causing an impromptu dance party on the beach sand.

From dinner before the show at Chubby’s Jamaican restaurant to the aftermath of the concert, things get progressively more sloppy; always the sign of a successful evening. Also: proof that you don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Mwah!

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Eve and Gwen: See an icon, or two! Summer to-do: day 31

Indulge

  We are both longtime fans of Ms Stefani and seeing her with Eve as her opener held the promise of live versions of their decade old collaborations. We were not disappointed.  Gwen Stefani held thousands rapt and eager for more at Toronto’s Molson Amphitheatre. All views, whether lawn or seating, were powerful and the pop (formerly punk) princess was regal as ever.    

    
    Rich Girl was a highlight and I surprised myself ( and Allia) by knowing all the lyrics to Eve’s rap breakdown. 

   Stefani’s candour and gratitude to her fans was charming and sincere, hinting at how much her career has helped get her back to a place in the sun and onto her feet after quite a dark year; maybe this is part of her appeal- she may have it all, but man,  she has been through the ringer, clawed her way back and, as she always has, proved she is still a business woman, an artist, a brand in her own right, and she is still, thirty years into her career able to put on a killer show../ and she can hustle. 

It was also wonderful to see Eve step back into the spotlight. What a great duo to share stager one.  I can’t believe how many songs of theirs I know, and how many have been part of my own journey. 

  Shake your tambourine!   

  Always lovely: At Toronto concerts, you are as likely to see cuddly queer couples as you are to see straight folks, all snuggled and sprawled amidst families and groups of friends on picnic blankets. At left: a hugging pair of punk rock gay boys who clearly came out to support E. V. E.      

 Show footage

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Anythaaaang I waaaaaant

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Modern Space 

Art

Fun, fun, fun: at the release party for the band “Modern Space” whose EP is coming out… now! They remind me a bit of Tokyo Police Club, swingy, punchy and youthful, with great beats and catchy bass lines. A cute, grungy gang of men dressed in a motley bunch of offhand outfits that could easily have been pulled from a drama teacher’s closet and a hipster/dive bar, mashed together. The event had freely flowing beer courtesy of Beau’s. MMmmm Lug. Tread. Hosted by Nuvango, the crowd was smattered with their signature bold prints and graphic leggings, which Nuvango is known for (all prints in their line are sourced and give credit to the actual artists for the use of their images). The space also hosts art openings in their gallery space, which has also found itself reinterpreted as a one-0ff yoga studio and, now, a concert venue. Also important: their leggings are SO comfortable, and incredibly well-made. See them (below). I love them. Fan. For sure.

It was worth going out on a weeknight for a dip into the random fun of being young, or at least feeling a little younger for some hours.  Talking to strangers is always a good time at Nuvango. Especially when those folks are strange already-friends. Below, some featured art from Jake Sherman’s “I’m New Here” series.
  My favourites: pink flamingo style.
  

Checking out the newest line of straight-from-the-runway items, soon to be available at Nuvango’s Queen Street storefront. Art. My lady love. The band. And the shadows.

Modern Space – Release Party.

Some rough clips. Cheers to live music, great art work and weeknights.

Modern Space, Live at Nuvango

Modern Space 2

 

Friday Night with Cairo

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Heading out tonight to see Cairo’s show, featuring the talented Caitlin Grieve et al. I was lucky enough to have her lend us her expertise on the violin for our wedding and can’t wait to see them take the stage at Lee’s Palace for the album release of “A History of Reasons.”

aaaaaaaa

What do you wear to a pre-party and concert for a band described as “orchestral alt-pop,” that reminds me of a freezing landscape thawing in the sun and stars that come out in fast-forward through time-lapse photography? Something hard and cool, but also warm and sweet, with something that could be mistaken for an icicle or quartz crystal. Check them out, or visit their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wearecairo

Calum Slingerland, for Exclaim.ca writes, “Toeing a line between scintillating pop and subdued folk, the precise rhythm section and reverb-laced guitar work are only made richer by the inclusion of Caitlin Grieve’s violin.” Amen, sister.

So what do you wear to an Icelandic (for the weather) folk-indie-orchestra. A little something like this: warm and whimsical, with a little ‘bleak’ and ‘rugged’.

aaaaa aaaaaaa aa aaaa Tough enough for a rock show, cozy and femmed-up.  What is your go-to outfit for a night show?