Like a Phoenix, rising up out of. . . The Phoenix
I don’t know why I bother to do my hair for shows at sweaty clubs. It just turns into a limp, shaggy mess. Monday’s show at The Phoenix was no exception.
Yes, I am aware that this comes almost a week late, but I saw Phoenix at The Phoenix. Synergy!
I went with my good friend Sheri and her friend Grant. We’re all show-going veterans and jaded journalists, so I was curious about how we’d all feel about this group live. Grant and I have both been on Phoenix’s jock for years, while Sheri is a relatively new convert.
I don’t want to presume to speak for Grant, but I think we both felt they did a fantastic job of picking a set list and playing a mix of older songs with stuff from the new album.
Grant said it was one of the best shows he’s ever seen. I don’t know about that, but I’m thinking it might make my top ten shows of the year. But it’s early yet.
I think this was the kind of show that is made or broken by the venue. A year ago, I would’ve put Phoenix at The Phoenix. But now? I think the only reason they played there was the name. With their newfound buzz, the group easily could have filled a bigger venue like Koolhaus. But seeing a show there feels like you’re at a concert in an airplane hangar. The Phoenix is… cosy. And by cosy I mean at a show as packed as Monday’s, you will become well-acquainted with the sweaty bodies of other people.
In his recent entry about Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Pat said their keyboards on the album are as comfy as an old worn blanket and that it made him sleepy. I can relate. There was a looong moment when it was so humid in the club I wanted to die and then, to make it even worse, somebody lit a cigarette even though, no, you cannot smoke in Toronto clubs, asshole. At that moment, they were playing old favourite Run Run Run. It morphed into an epic ten minute version that lulled the room into this hypnotic trance. We were waiting, waiting… It felt like when you’re a kid growing up on the prairies and everyone is just dog tired of the heat and holding their breath for rain. And then, the song ended and it felt like we let out our breath and it broke open and showered down rock and roll. Also, I went to get us some beer, which turned out to be the best beer ever.
I was unprepared for just how much energy they would bring to the stage live, but I probably shouldn’t have been. I saw them on SNL earlier this year and was impressed. And they played Letterman last night, proving it was no fluke.
Getting down to brass tacks, I was a little disappointed that they seemed to rush through Rally - my favourite song of theirs - but they made up for it with Run and held back nothing in their performances of Lisztomania and Lasso, not to mention the moody, noodly indulgence of Love Like a Sunset that worked better live than I expected it would. Their set list was practically perfect. They played off all their albums (and played Pat’s favourite, Consolation Prizes) and I got to hear some of my favourite songs. It was missing only Everything Is Everything, which I was a little disappointed they didn’t play, but hey, you can’t have it all. And they wisely held off on 1901, saving the best for last.
I was surpised by the number of dudes there. Not that I’m complaining about the sausage party, but Phoenix doesn’t really seem like the type of band a bunch of brosephs would go to a show for. And yet, they were out in force. Perhaps I should be thanking them. Please, Phoenix! Visit often!
You can check out Pat’s post for info on where to find Phoenix stuff online. In the meantime, here are some of my favourite songs from their previous albums, It’s Never Been Like That (2006), Alphabetical (2004) and United (2000).
Phoenix - Rally: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Phoenix - Run Run Run: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Phoenix - Party Time: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
