The Mixtape team is hitting as many Halifax Pop Explosion shows as we can, and each morning we will bring you a snapshot of what you missed last night.
The team was out in full force and caught the great musical acts lined up to kick off the festival. For more photos, check out our Tuesday gallery.
Dana Beeler 9:30 p.m. at The Carleton
This folky Haligonian has been making a name for herself in town, but until this year she spent her time at HPX volunteering, not performing. Beeler brought a plugged-in, pedal-altered sound and it was clear from her first song, “travelling,” it suits her Alanis Morissette-meets-Natalie-Maines voice.
Despite the nerves she felt (and she accidentally misread a cue, almost ending her show 20 minutes early), she was charming and talented, easily winning the audience.
North Lakes 9:30 p.m. at Reflections Cabaret
Charlottetown indie rockers North Lakes kicked off the night at Reflections with guitars, drums, bass and keys, that gave an extra rock n’ roll punch. The band showcased some new songs alongside favourites from 2011’s Grand Prix. Lead singer and guitarist Nathan Gill encouraged folks to come out to their Saturday show for an encore performance.
Nick Ferrio & His Feelings 10:30 p.m. at The Carleton
Nick Ferrio creates good, old-fashioned country. The three piece band features laid-back stand-up bass, fierce harmonica licks, and Ferrio himself on guitar and vocals. Singing about the usual country fare, Ferrio’s charm is rough and tumble. In his beat-up hat and overcoat, he and his band could pop out and split a cord of wood between sets.
A show highlight was during “Night Garden” a song Ferrio assured the audience is about a partner’s nocturnal horticultural habits. But his band didn’t quite see it that way. Wink wink, nudge, nudge. The crowd giggled their way through.
Take Part 11 p.m. at The Seahorse Tavern
Take Part brings consistency on every show they play, and this was no exception. Take Part’s perfectly blended pop and indie melodies ruled over the crowd, and every foot in the Seahorse was stomping. As their set peaked with the crowd favourite “The Harbour,” the band let their instruments go silent during the chorus while the audience screamed the words in unison with the band members. Take Part is fresh off the release of their latest EP and they show no signs of slowing down the steamroller that is their band.
Ladies of the Canyon 11:30 at The Carleton
Ladies of the Canyon bring a classic rock and roll show. While not many got to enjoy them (the audience was small at the Carleton), they won over the crowd with their professional show. Mixing their ’60s and ’70s rock influence with a post ’90s girl-power sensibility, this Montreal band brings a smooth sound, even while rocking out. The four women have substance to go with their style, but their show is clearly designed with aesthetics in mind. The amps are draped in scarves and the ladies are dressed to the nines with ’70s staples: frayed jeans, fringed boots and hair bleach.
The Darcys 11:30 p.m. at Reflections Cabaret
With three keyboards on stage, the The Toronto-based band showed restraint while building intricate layers of sound, before letting everything break loose with fast guitar riffs and crashing cymbals. During their set, the Darcys showed fearlessness as they created a live show that breaks free from conventional indie-rock formula. Heads were still high despite an unfortunate loss of someone close to the band, which is why they cancelled shows for the rest of the week.
Quivers 12 a.m. at Gus’ Pub
Quivers had Gus’ Pub packed almost to the brim. Everyone was shoulder to shoulder, which was cool because Quivers brings the best mood. They’re amazingly on point as a band, and with their stage banter and humour.
At one point bassist Ryan Allen jokingly started playing “I Believe in a thing Called Love” and the band sang along. These jokes and silly moments are absolutely not to take away from the band’s amazing performance, though. They brought Gus’ to an amazing height of energy and joy, and it was the perfect way to kick off Pop Explosion.
Coyote 12 a.m. at the Seahorse
Coyote was last band before secret headliner Rich Aucoin. Lead singer/guitarist Josh Carter pulled in the crowd, encouraging them to dance, sing along and clap throughout the energetic set. Whether playing an acoustic or electric guitar, or no guitar at all, Carter’s powerful tenor vocals were the driving force of the show while the band provided the rest of the energy required to make this a classic night at the Seahorse.
Don’t forget to catch Mixtape selling subscriptions on Saturday, October 26 at the POP EXPO at the World trade and convention centre in Halifax.
Photo: Mixtape/Evan McIntyre