article and photos by
clint gilders - club.kingsnake staff
It's hard to really study a band and get lost in their performance when you're also photographing them. As such I was glad to have
Andrea coming to report on Day 2 (September 9th). On Day 1 (September 8th) I was on my own.
You can liken the way I am at these festivals to a sort of binocular tunnel vision. One eye on the schedule I've mapped out and the other on the quickest way to the designated stage at the designated time for the designated band. At Virgin Festival, to go from the Main Stage to the Future Shop stage fully took 10 minutes. Why'd they put the stages so f'in far apart? Dunno.
Don't get me wrong, I do my best to listen to the bands. It's a Gong Show kinda thing. Catch my attention or I'm off to find another band. Here's a little photo essay on some of the bands I shot on Day 1 of the Virgin Festival on Toronto's Centre Island.
Here's a quick idea of what the weather was like each day of the festival.
Toronto Skyline Day 1 | Toronto Skyline Day 2 |
Noah's Arkweld (on the Budweiser Stage) caught my attention even before I got to the Island. What's this "Potty Mouthed Kids Choir" that says dirty words and throws stuff at the audience? Sadly, overindulged kids yelling profanity, and flipping the bird just don't do it for me. I moved on after one song.
Noah's Arkweld | Noah's Arkweld | Noah's Arkweld |
I strolled over to the Future Shop stage and caught the tail end of the Jon Levine Band. This is a set I wish I'd seen more of. Levine is a tremendous musician who writes great songs. Sorry I missed you Jon.
Jon Levine Band | Jon Levine Band |
k-os simply ruled the Main Stage. I was riveted during the entire set. He made Canada proud.
M.I.A. followed k-os on the Main Stage and won me over pretty quick. "It's a Bamboo Bangaaaaa!"
Enter Shikari were a blast. Techno-metal-dance-mayhem by some ginger haired boys who like to stick out their tongues. Apparently they had some gear issues and that's why they started late and played a short set. The bass player is an institution unto himself and has enough stage presence that he could hand some out the lamer bands.
Enter Shikari | Enter Shikari | Enter Shikari |
Mutemath on ther Future Shop stage were everything I'd expected. Good songs, great performance. Who doesn't love the keytar? Why the hell were they not on the Main Stage????
Byork live I just don't get. Obviously lots of other people do. I'll chalk it up as my inadequacy not hers.
Byork | Byork |