Test Pattern, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . .
For those not in the know,
Tegan & Sara performed last Thursday evening at Richards On Richards. To say that their concert was good would be a vast understatement. Although, for a far superior assessment of the concert go read
Quinn. He also interviewed the twins as well, which makes me jealous . . .
so jealous.
However, since there seems to be someone reading this here rag I shall continue. The concert, like my
last encounter with T&S, was memorable for me. An adventure to be had for sure. Held within the confines of "Dicks On Dicks" Tegan and Sara would mark their return to their home base (except for Sara since she moved to Montreal). With
The No No Spots in tow, they rawked the joint.
The No No Spots were a 5-piece band consisting of a drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist/secondary vocalist, and lead vocalist. Their set seemed short, however, with that limited slot they marched forward in
Ramones-type fashion RIP. Full tilt and seamlessly transitioning from one song to the next. I guess I could categorize them under the indie band label, but, I feel that that would be far too limiting. I saw them as akin to a hard-edged New Wave band that would survive in front of a punk crowd. Like say a
Pointed Sticks. So like any good opening act, they primed the crowd for the headliners, while at the same time garnering a few new fans. I being one of them.
After an intermission to prep the stage and another pint for me Tegan and Sara were up. Much like before, their performance was remarkable. However, they had an added element. That being the addition of a keyboardist/guitarist. Prior to the concert I dwelled upon what they would do for these keyboard pieces for their new material. This was because of news that one
Matt Sharp recorded keyboards for the new T&S album, using his once missing Moog. My opinion regarding this new member to the band is overwhelmingly positive. Not only does he fill that needed element for the songs on the new album, but, he fleshes out the older material. This is done twofold: 1) the keyboards add a New Wave esthetic; 2) the extra guitar (yep that's right, a third guitar) makes the band sound louder. A sound that would be beneficial for larger venues or festivals.
While older fans of Tegan and Sara may fret that their beloved duo is veering away from their early folk leanings. This "new" progression of their sound is actually coming full circle when one recognizes their punk origins in Calgary. Both genres are not mutually exclusive. Even so, Tegan and Sara still make time in their set to show their fans why they've earned their love: the majesty of their dual harmonies and guitars, alone with no backing by their bandmates. A sight so special that even their fellow bandmates, from offstage, become audience members themselves.
However, a T&S concert would be incomplete without fan interaction. The banter between the twins themselves, as well as the audience, created an intimate atmosphere. At one of their gigs fans are more than mere spectators to an event. They are allowed to partake. While the banter between the sisters can seem catty at times, it is all strewn with humour. A type of quip that can only be tolerated by one you care about. Or truly despise at the time. I mean c'mon, their siblings, twin siblings at that. A certain level of antagonism will always be there. If this were the
Davies twins there would be fisticuffs. So for the time being cooler heads win out, as demonstrated when Sara admitted to the crowd on their encore that she had to give Tegan a hug and apologize. An act that only endeared their fans towards them even more.
If I were to have a complaint about this concert, that would be in the lack of dancing in the crowd. Definitely in need of more people dancing. Yet, I can only think that this may be due to it being oh so close to the release of the new album, and to it being early in their tour. Hopefully, this will be corrected at their all-ages gig at Mesa Luna or when they return at the end of their tour.
Apart from the concert itself, Tegan and Sara concerts equate me hanging out with my good buddy Renata and the T&S fan posse. I was even surprised to see Mel in attendance (being that she works in California as a nurse; if that doesn't show one's allegiance to the band, I don't know what does). Whenever I see them, it just means to me that I really have to hang out with them more.
Other's in attendance that I spotted were UBC's own Quinn and
Kaitlin. They were by the merch booth at the end of the concert. I would've said hi but it was really crowded at the time. That plus I was guarding the autographed setlist my friends got. Hopefully, Kaitlin will post an entry regarding the concert as well. I feel she, like Quinn, would provide a far superior assessment.
There was even a celebrity sighting. A one
Kelly Osbourne was present. She was hanging out with Tegan and Sara at the merch booth. I didn't even know she liked, let alone knew them. So ummm . . . cool. For the record, the camera does her no justice. She seemed like any normal young girl. Heck, I initially thought she was just a really young friend of either Tegan and Sara or The No No Spots that had a passing resemblance to Kelly Osbourne.
Any weird adventures Karl? Well now that you mention it, not really. Although, I wound up giving a perfect stranger a ride to the place she was crashing. The story was as follows:
She was an RA at UVic and a big T&S fan. She could not get off work to see their gig in Victoria, so she decided to see them in Vancouver and crash at her friend's place. However, her friends are not T&S fans. So they arrive at Richards on Richards, but, her friends decide to leave early. She stays and enjoys the show. After the show, I'm outside hanging out with Renata, Francine, and their friends. Stranded person comes to our group and asks if anyone was heading her way and wanted to split a cab. Since I drove I offered to drive. My friend Renata then vouched for my character. And then I drove her to her destination. No funny stuff. Just me being a good Samaritan I guess. Plus she was a fellow T&S fan in need.
So go see Tegan and Sara live. In lieu of that listen to their albums. Just experience them.
End Scene.
