Yea, it’s hot, the sound is never great, and you are surrounded by a multitude of teeny boppers and hipsters, but you can’t complain about the annual free show at Coney Island. I was so excited for this year’s 2 stage line up. I had seen most of the bands already so I stuck to the ones that were new to me and my personal favs. I arrived just in time to catch Dirty on Purpose play a great set and my first time seeing them without their female counterpart. They still pulled it off and as the rain came down they ended their set with a killer version of “Monument”.
I ran over to see Tapes N’ Tapes to be overwhelmed with so many people with their freiking umbrellas open blocking the view of the band. The crowd at the Stillwell stage was much better. Although they were one of the bands that sounded the best, they were soooo boring. The Bowery show was better, and I guess their popularity has reached way beyond the blogosphere.
Ran back to see Sarena Maneesh for the first time. The first two songs were a feedback mess but I actually got into them after awhile. Not sure why this band garnered so much buzz throughout this year though.
The Cribs were on next and this trio from Wakefield England totally rocked with their guitar punk rock. The drummer at times would jump on his set playing standing up and I found their songs to be quite catchy. Mid-way through the set Ryan cut his chin and started to bleed but continued to sing, drink and smoke as the blood dripped down his chin. During the final song he chugged a beer and rocked out.
Sans-Moustache, Eddie Argus and Art Brut played their silly songs to new fans and old. He referenced Cat Stevens many times which I thought was hilarious. They played one new song which was ok and the stage antics were the same but welcomed. They breathed some life into the sun scorched audience especially when Eddie jumped into the crowd to sing “Modern Art”. Always a good time. Video.
I was patiently waiting for the main reason I was at the show: Montreal’s Stars. This is a band I’ve missed twice even when I had tickets to see them! Their album last year was in my top ten and played all their “hits” as the sun finally subsided. I was very moved by their unique addictive pop songs about love, breakups and more breakups. Amy was great onstage and very different from when she plays with fellow Canucks Broken Social Scene. Sure the sound wasn’t perfect but I felt their set was beautiful and can’t wait to see them again.
And no sunburn this year 😉
