Light work

Tuesday I toddled over to ritual through the biting wind to see Purity Ring, Blue Hawaii and Spaceandtime. All three acts are duos, with one person hamdling the electronics, samples and suchlike, and another focussing on the singing (perhaps with a bit of electronic and pecussive assistance).

Spaceandtime opened the set with some slow tempo crooning. Members Justin Karras and David Sheppard also perform in baroque pop vein as Fall Horsie. Here David turns the dials.


Spaceandtime at Ritual, April 2, 2013

Justin sings and keys!


Spaceandtime at Ritual, April 2, 2013

Blue Hawaii, also of Montreal, started things off with a slower number, but asked the crowd if they wanted a contemplative set or a dance party. The audience demanded dance party, so things sped up pretty quickly. They certainly aren't the delicate folk combo they used to be.


Blue Hawaii at Ritual, April 2, 2013

Ralph sings! She also plays in Braids. The crowd was definitely clamouring for another song by the end of the set.


Blue Hawaii at Ritual, April 2, 2013

Purity Ring gussied up the stage a bit with some hanging lanterns that resembled insect pupae (or perhaps wasp nests).  They had a bunch of touch sensitive lamps to hit that also made sounds. A bit simple, but the crowd seemed to like it. Also lots of smoke!


Purity Ring at Ritual, April 2, 2013

Here are their glowing thingamabobs. They also had a bass drum with a light trigger. Thrills.


Purity Ring at Ritual, April 2, 2013

A pleasant listen, but perhaps a bit more electronica than I like in one serving.