Metric @ The Commodore

Usually I don’t write show reviews till a day or two after but I couldn’t resist for Metric. Tonight Emily Haines, Joules Scott-Key, James Shaw and Josh Winstead blew the top off the Commodore; and to think I wasn’t even going to go to this show. Once again I need to go by the simple rule of “Trust Lester when it comes to concerts”.

I don’t really know what to say other than this band is going very far. They have such a huge sound for just 4 people. James Shaw had some amazing licks on his guitar while Josh Winstead impressed me the most with his insane bass playing. Emily Haines, one of the front runners for indie musics sexiest lead singer, brought so much energy and was all over the place. When she wasn’t dancing and flaunting around she was kicking it out on the keyboards. I couldn’t believe how tight this band was, especially after having played an all ages show earlier that day, and a show the night before. That’s right, THREE shows in the span of 24 hours. If this band is working for it, I don’t know who is… Anyway the show was closed with the song Dead Disco which went on for over 20 minutes. Josh was insane, playing some insanely fast riff for a good 15 plus minutes. Near the end Emily jumps into the crowd and does some crowd surfing, being like right on the rail, pretty center I did my part in helping her along. Show ends with first Josh laying on the stage, kicking and punching the air, then Emily laying on her back singing to the ceiling. Finally the lights go out, the band takes to their feet and bows and goes off the stage.

If you have a chance to see Metric, especially right now in still quasi small venues do it, you wont have the opportunity again shortly.

Just a little note on the openers. The first opener was Panurge a local Vancouver band. I knew them from their catchy tune Mixed Cavalry. They were good, wouldn’t mind checking out their new album when it comes out. The second opener was a band called Islands. The band had like 7 members, all dressed in white. They had a very “Arcade Firesh” feel to them. Regardless they were really energetic, and very entertaining. I really enjoyed the string players, they were pretty funny. Only complaint was that the vocals were really low.

All in all tonight was a fantastic night of music, probably one of the best concerts I have seen this year. After this show I am now sold on Metric.