Click here to check out the rest of the Joel Plaskett pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Click here to check out the rest of the Chickenfoot pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Click here to check out the rest of the pics. photos and review by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Kings Of Leon Air Canada Centre April 21st, 2009 My first thought was "Really? The Kings of Leon can fill the ACC?" Well, they came damned close. Only this past November they filled the 2,500 capacity Kool Haus in Toronto and five months later they're headlining the Air Canada Centre (19,000 capacity). What happened in those five months? "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" happened--songs built for arenas full of singing & screaming fans. Mind you they haven't been an overnight success. The Kings Of Leon have built a huge and loyal following since their 2003 debut but the success of "Only By The Night" (Released on September 23rd, 2008 and on the Billboard charts for 29 weeks- currently sitting at #31) has pushed them past the tipping point. The unique part of this show was seeing that they might not be ready for the next level of stadium stardom. This was the first headlining band that I've ever seen with such a minimal stage setup: no walkways, ramps or props. Their guitars - only one each (except for Caleb who plays electric and acoustic) - were tuned by the musician using them and placed in guitar stands beside them when they weren't using them. Dressed in the same clothes they'd go out to the mall in, they've either decided to forgo the rock star chic that you'd see the Killers preening in, or they don't know that those clothes are needed for a stadium level band. They're not playing signature guitars, using signature drum sticks, striking "Bon Jovi" poses at predetermined points in a song or going off on a political rant to work the crowd into a frenzy. All of these things that they didn't do were so refreshing. The Followill boys simply play great music without an agenda. You'd think that a band with some huge singles would save one for the encore, but instead "Sex on Fire" fell midway through the show, followed closely by "Milk", "Four Kicks" (which sounded amazing) and "The Bucket". The show started with "Crawl" and "Use Somebody" came just before the encore. For the encore the crowd was treated to a new bluesy song "Devil's Song", mixed in with "Closer", "Manhattan", & "Knocked Up" . The band, especially Caleb, seemed to loosen up once they dug into their older rougher material, and all of the material was performed flawlessly. Nothing about their sound is studio polish - they just sound amazing. It'll be interesting to see where their success takes them. Caleb has described the material for their next CD to have a "bluesy feel" that I'd think long time fans would feel comfortable with but newer fans expecting more "Sex On Fire" style songs might not receive as easily. Their success has come from talented and daring songwriting and whatever comes next will surely be fantastic. WIll they start to enhance their shows with more lights, bigger stages and bigger personas like other stadium level bands? I hope not. Seeing one of the best bands of this decade playing a giant venue with a minimal setup and a non-rock star attitude was an unforgettable experience.

Click here to check out the rest of the Chickenfoot pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Click here to check out the rest of the Ra Ra Riot pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Click here to check out the rest of the Death Cab For Cutie pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Canadian Music Week is a music festival, conference, and exhibition with thousands of music industry participants from around the world. 350 bands in 35 clubs over three nights, March 11 through the 14th, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Club kingsnake was there this year and we put together this photo gallery with some of the highlights. Click on an artist to see more! - photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer Amelia Curran Amy Vee Arkells Bloc Party Farewell To Freeway Buckcherry   Default Hexes and Ohs Hinder Inward Eye Jenn Grant Marble Index   Matt Mays My Darkest Days Our Lady Peace Robotanists Say When Serena Ryder   Sierra Noble Supersuckers The Randalls Ting Tings White Cowbell Oklahoma Will Currie

Click here to check out the rest of the pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

Click here to check out the rest of the pics. photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

AC/DC - January 9, 2009 Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ont.

You know the show is going to be good when the first thing you see is 45,000 AC/DC fans wearing red light-up devil horns!!! A great show to shoot with the photographers placed at the start of the 4 foot high catwalk and bright stage lights that let you shoot at 400 ISO. The show started with a great intro that I won't reveal in case you attend a show on the tour - and you should!

The band rocked out to the first single from Black Ice "Rock 'N ' Roll Train, followed by "Hell Ain't A Bad Place to Be" and "Back In Black". As the photographers were leaving they launched into another new song, "Big Jack". They don\'t show their age for a second, running around the stage and really looking like they're having a great time. Angus should be at an age where putting on the school boy outfit but he pulls it off and looks great. Brian still belts it out just as well as anyone and looks great for 61.

A fantastic start to the 2009 Toronto concert season!
Click here to check out the pics. - photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer

by Michael Hurcomb - club.kingsnake contributor
The Molson Amphitheatre. Toronto, Ontario
Friday September 5th, 2008

I've always liked Journey. I'll admit it. In fact I think everyone likes Journey. Those damned catchy, sappy songs with great guitar solos. They've certainly received more press in the last few years thanks to the use of "Don't Stop Believin" in the Sopranos series finale and the hiring of the You Tube sensation Arnel Pineda from the Philippines . Before the show I checked out the footage of Arnel singing with his old cover band The Zoo. Arnel can sing exactly like Steve Perry but you'd be surprised to hear how well he can impersonate other singers. He nails Bon Jovi, Boston, STP, Queen and lots of others.

The big test would be hearing him live, especially after Journey canceled the prior night because Arnel had a cold. Well, he was perfect. Journey put on a fantastic show with lots of energy and great interplay, as did their openers Cheap Trick and Heart. It's refreshing to hear great live singers in this era of "Auto Tune". The crowd loved every minute of it - especially the large Filipino crowd! Hopefully Journey can keep Arnel longer than their past few singers. They start another leg of their tour in November so check them out if they're headed your way.

by Michael Hurcomb - club.kingsnake contributor

The Molson Amphitheatre. Toronto, Ontario
Friday September 5th, 2008

by Michael Hurcomb - club.kingsnake contributor

Massey Hall. Toronto, Ontario
Wednesday August 6th, 2008


My first concert at Massey Hall and what stuck me immediately is how amazing a venue it is. The performers are very close to the crowd and each level wraps around the stage which gives everyone a great view. After speeding from a wedding rehearsal in Oshawa I arrived at photo call to find out that it was long lenses only. We were only allowed to shoot from the left wall and nowhere near the front of the stage. I still managed to capture some decent shots with the telephoto zoom that I had in my bag from the wedding rehearsal. Iggy looks amazing for 61 and I don't think he stood still for a moment. Great band and a great show!

Photos by Michael Hurcomb - contributing photographer