Tea and stars

I can tell it's been 25 years since I started really listening to music, because all the stuff I liked in my teenage years is being reissued in anniversary packages (hello, Jesus and Mary Chain) or is being reconfigured by new young artists. Such is the case with NWOCNW (New Wave of Canadian New Wave, that is) performer Katie Stelmanis, whose Austra project graced the stage at Ritual last night. She was joined by Tasseomancy, twin sisters who also perform in Austra, and Young Galaxy.

First up, Tasseomancy, which is centred around Sari and Romy Lightman. The slightly gothic pair once performed as Ghost Bees, but have added a little more oompf with a drummer and keyboardist.  I thought they sounded really good, though Sari described it as a "bit of a shit-show" due to acoustic guitar problems. Anyway, here's Sari and their drummer.


Tasseomancy at Ritual, December 3, 2011

And Romy and their keyboardist.


Tasseomancy at Ritual, December 3, 2011

Young Galaxy played next, and I must say the dance thing is really working for them. The crowd was super-enthused and the band was hot.


Young Galaxy at Ritual, December 3, 2011

Drummer Andrea Silver.

 
Young Galaxy at Ritual, December 3, 2011

Austra wrapped things up with a superb performance. This was the last show of their current tour so understandably things are pretty finely honed at this point in the game. Stelmanis and the Lightmans' voices intertwine beautifully, and they get super support from keyboardist Ryan Wonsiak, Stelmanis' old Galaxy mate Maya Potepski and former Spiral Beach bassist Dorian Wolfe.


 Austra at Ritual, December 3, 2011

Sari sings some.


Austra at Ritual, December 3, 2011

A lovely show, though I could have done without the coatcheck lineup.

• Show reminder: It's Day 2 of Jimmy George's reunion run at the Elmdale.