In the beginning

With Bluesfest done and gone, it's time to start looking back at the festival that was. The first day was consumed by Van Morrison's capable performance, and since I was fairly distant from the stage there's little point in posting another picture from that gig. Day 2 was a little more interesting. My first stop on that day was the set-closing tune by As The Poets Affirm. I snapped a few pictures, almost none of which turned out well: Here are the remains.

That great big Rogers Stage.



A rather static picture of Alex.



Nathan gives it his all.



The rest were even worse. On to the River Stage, where Fairfield were warming things up Radio Birdman. As a band, I would describe Fairfield as okay; it's sincere acoustic rock. They aren't particularly to my taste. I'd put them on a bill with Tim's Myth. Then I'd go see a show somewhere else. I admire their determination to compose meaningful tunes, but I can't say it holds my attention.

Frontman Casey Marshall rocks the shades. The band is named after his B.C. hometown.



Bassist Nick Czarnogorski, in a rare photo where he isn't standing on a monitor.



Chris Caddell is an early competitor for best hair of the festival.



The whole lot!



And one more.



I have no photo of band drummer Eric Paul, mostly because he wasn't actually around for this show. I don't have a photo of his replacement either. Sorry 'bout that.

• Show reminder: Buried Inside, Coliseum, and Engineer get loud at Cafe DeKcuf.

Flying in

Bluesfest's Day 2 was basically a one-band evening. I caught As The Poets Affirm's final song at the Rogers stage and snapped a few photos.



That done, I went back toward the main stage to see if I could hear any Jimmy Vaughan. Although the audience was considerably diminished from the same time the night before it was still too much of a crowd for my liking. I decided to head over to the River stage. It's a nice little spot. Fairfield, a Toronto band, were about halfway through their set when I arrived.



I didn't find them too compelling. The only really interesting moment came when they finished things off with a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams. I imagine that they'd be of interest to fans of Dave Matthews and The Wallflowers.
The real attraction of the night was up next: Radio Birdman! The band has an outsize fan club in Ottawa thanks to the proselytizing of Birdman Sound owner John Westhaver, and a good chunk of Ottawa's rockerati were in the crowd for the band's show. Even after the band's surprise reunion, this was still an "I'd never thought I'd see them live!" experience akin to Simply Saucer last month. Like that show, the Aussie vets showed they still have it with storming versions of tunes like Steve and Danno and Burn My Eye (there was also a cover of The Who's Circles).



They ended with an encore of More Fun, Descent Into the Maelstrom, The Kinks' Till the End of the Day and Yeah Hup. A really super show.
I toddled off to the main stage to listen to some of Bob Dylan, but after two songs realized I wasn't going to get much out of the show. So far away from the stage the sound was just too weak - it sounded much better on the walk back to my bicycle. As in previous years, with a couple of exceptions I'm going to be sticking to the side stages.

Affirmative action

As The Poets Affirm were next up. After several shows where they seemed to be heading in a more vocal-heavy direction they laid out a largely instrumental set. Most of my photos feature either Gary Udle or Cindy Olberg since I was stuck near them and my macro lens doesn't adjust for range. Unfortunately I couldn't find a good place on the other side to shoot from so these pictures are heavily slanted toward only three of the band - c'est la vie.

So here's another Gary picture!



Cindy.



Good thing Alex wandered into this shot.



Ben, and yet more tambourine.



More Ben'n'Cindy.



And, well, more of the same (you can sort of make Ryan out in the back - and if it weren't so dark you could see Nathan!).



And one of Adam for variety!



Just wait, next time it'll be nothing but Ryan and Nathan.

• Show reminder: Speaking of Cindy, Sadie Hell performs tonight at Zaphod's, as does The Rude Dudes, Hellbros and Goddam Goddams.

Buildings and house

You know you've had a good night when you see a great local band you're unfamiliar with, another of your local faves, and a headliner that more than lives up to its billing. (Extra bonus - their touring partners, who've also heard great things about, also rock as announced).

Crush Buildings - Eaaazzzz and James.



As the Poets Affirm's Gary Udle (and a shadowy Alex Cairncross).



Dirty Projectors are the lovechild of Bob Wiseman and Lora Logic, but without the saxophone. Dave Longstreth, left, is their musical director; on guitar is Amber Coffman.



As for Grizzly Bear, they were simply enchanting. Daniel Rossen kicked things off with a lovely tune.



Top marks for all involved ... except the guy who turned on the music as soon as GB left the stage, effectively depriving the crowd of an encore. Despite that, it's the early entry for show of the year.

Changed again

Last time I saw As The Poets Affirm they were missing a cellist and Gary Udle's amplifier head caught fire. This time around they had a new cellist and there was no equipment combustion to speak of. Coincidence? Maybe. They also have a new recording, Awake, in stores now.

That new cellist - Cindy Olberg of Sadie Hell - and Alex Cairncross at back.



Ryan Patterson in the red.



Clapping action with Adam Saikaley!



Nathan Gara, enthusiastic drummer!



Ben gets down on tambourine at left while Gary does not spontaneously combust at right.



And so on!





The band performs at Barrymore's Feb. 5 as one of the acts on the Grizzly Bear bill.

• Show reminder: Cancer Bats, I Hate Sally and The End destroy everything at Mavericks.

Rocks vs. Bombs

I had a busy Saturday night - first I went off to Zaphod's to see Rock Plaza Central. They were headlining the second evening of Mocking Music's anniversary celebration. A sizeable crowd was already there for My Dad Vs. Yours when I walked in the door at 8:45 p.m.



As The Poets Affirm played next, to a very positive audience reaction. They've also got a new cello player - Sadie Hell's Cindy Olberg.



Next up, Rock Central Plaza, who dressed up for the occasion.



Next up, Babylon for The Bella Bombs CD release show. I kick myself for getting there too late to see either Muffler Crunch or The Fucking Machines, but The Shifters' eight cylinder motorrock was some compensation.



And of course The Bella Bombs, who had the crowd all worked up.



It was also heartening to see great turnouts for both shows.

Hot licks

Another stirring performance from As The Poets Affirm. They were down a member (I'm going to assume Kina de Grasse's absence is temporary) for this performance, and it also struck me as being heavier on the vocals, compared to their last Zaphod's show. As I said earlier there was some brief excitement when Gary Udle's amp caught fire - a moderately sized flame could be briefly seen jetting out the back. No doubt due to his burning up the frets. The problem was quickly rectified with a borrowed Traynor, and they wrapped things up with a further two songs.



That combusting amp, pre-flames.



Once again, Nathan Gara's enthusiastic drumming causes his specs to fly off.



Tooting action from Adam (not Alex as I said earlier) and Ben.



And assorted poetic action.









Their next show is at Irene's Sept. 16.

Catch a fire

A night of brisk entertainment at Zaphod's, which lasted for about an hour and a half (not counting setting up and breaking down), featuring two acts which blend post rock with the brainier side of indie-pop and rock. Acres are a trio with a fondness for delay on their guitar and a growly singer. With their long instrumental passages I was put in mind of a post-rock version of My Morning Jacket. A short set but a good one. They perform at Cafe DeKcuf Aug 19.



... As The Poets Affirm were down to a six-piece for this show, which was briefly interrupted when Gary Udle's amplifier caught fire. Here he is with Alex Cairncross, pre-combustion.



Fortunately Matthew Corbiere of Acres was on hand with a replacement. More pictures later, but nothing on fire, except perhaps metaphorically.

Elliptical music

... as the Poets affirm put on a particularly fierce set opening for Feu Therese on Friday - at least musically. There isn't much room for seven people and their instruments to move about on Zaphod's stage, so stage antics were kept to a minimum (apart from some heavy breathing). It seemed like there was a stronger use of vocals this time around, too.

Since he was so cruelly neglected in my teaser post, here's Alex Saikaley on the keys.



ATPA's guitar army - Gary Udle, Alex Cairncross, Ryan Patterson - gets in line.



Kina de Grasse; foot on monitor = rock!



Nathan Gara enjoys his work.



Kina keys while Ben Belanger huff and puffs: "I need more clapping ... more!"



More clapping it is!



Alex and Ben rush the mic.



Ryan gets out the pocket trumpet.



More Alex!



Want to see more? They're playing the Blues in the Schools showcase at Zaphod's this Sunday - May 14 - so not much of a wait!