Poetry in motion

Continuing in my newfound tradition, I showed up at Irene's in time to miss the opening act from out of town, that being Bad Flirt. I'll catch them some other day, I hope. Locals ... As The Poets Affirm play instrumental post rock (actually, there are some vocals, but they aren't prominent). I reviewed their record for the Ottawa Sun and like it quite a bit (four suns out of five, if memory serves). Live the music seemed more energetic and louder than it did on The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch, but just as focussed.

Kina de Grasse throws in a little singing.



Nathan Gara whacked his drums so hard his glasses flew off.



Ryan Patterson deploys the pocket trumpet.



Alex Saikaley on the keys.



... and tooting a little with Ben Belanger.



Gary Udle (with Kina and Ben shakin' it in the background).



Alex Cairncross, also of Sleeping Pilot, in a rare unspectacled moment.



Post-rock action!



Dreadlock action!



The group's next show is actually tonight at Zaphod's, with the aforementioned Sleeping Pilot.

• Show reminder: Get into the Christmas spirit, or at least drunk, at the Clocktower Pub when Birdman Sound holds its festive party. On the bill: The Fortunate Sons, Four'N'Giv'r and The Weapons of Mass Seduction.