Putting together a list was very difficult. Again these were shows that I not only attended but also photographed. I didn’t get to see Iggy @ NXNE, or shoot Gorillaz @ the ACC which was awesome to watch, Arcade Fire also eluded my lens… Honourable mentions go to Hollerado @ Mod Club for NXNE, Warpaint @ The Horseshoe for NXNE, Plants and Animals @ the Indie Awards CMW and Band of Skulls @ The Mod Club. Here’s to a great year of music and much more in 2011.
10. Hail The Villain @ Tattoo Rock Parlour — Oct 7, 2010
I first saw Hail The Villain play a show in Barrie in 2008. At that time I thought they put on a pretty solid set. The Oshawa, Ontario natives have spent the last couple of years perfecting their live show, playing for larger audiences and gaining experience through tours like the UPROAR Festival. This show was a full rock assault. If you are a fan of hard rock check them out you won’t be disappointed.
9. Broken Social Scene @ Sound Academy — Dec 9, 2010
This was one of the final shows of the year. It was a pleasure to shoot Broken Social Scene for the first time. Even better when the band were joined on stage by Amy Millan, Leslie Feist and Jimmy Shaw.
8. Tegan and Sara @ Koolhaus — Jan 20, 2010
The Dynamic Duo. The Quin sisters always put on these amazing “feel good” performances. You just walk away feeling better for having seen them. This show was no exception.
7. Sweet Thing @ Phoenix Concert Theatre — Sept 25, 2010
Show Stealers. If you are headlining a show and Sweet Thing is the opener you’ve got your work cut out for you! In a room full of Justin Nozuka fans Sweet Thing had just about everyone dancing. And you know they didn’t want to mother f*%ker.
6. Silversun Pickups @ Sound Academy — June 29, 2010
Silversun Pickups have played four shows in Toronto over the last year and a bit selling out the Sound Academy twice. The energy in that building every time they come to play is incredible. Another great performance.
5. Editors @ Phoenix Concert Theatre — Feb 16, 2010
Alright so their latest album didn’t get the best reviews, but hey anyone who can channel Ian Curtis as well as Tom Smith deserves to be on a top ten list. Editors just sound great live and having such an expressive front man to pull the crowd in doesn’t hurt either.
4. Mumford and Sons @ Sound Academy — Nov 13, 2010
This show was just pure magic. How a folky four piece can rock a venue like Sound Academy is beyond words. The emotion this band brings out during a live show is infectious.
3. Alexisonfire @ Wakestock — August 7, 2010
Yeah I know they just played a couple of shows at Sound Academy. Those shows were cool but in a year without festivals these guys really brought it to the shores of Collingwood, Ontario for the Wakestock crowd.
2. Metric @ Molson Amphitheatre — July 9, 2010
I thought their show at Massey was great, but could they pull of a show at the Molson Amphitheatre. On a cool July night Metric lead by their incredible front woman Emily Haines got their “Stadium Love” and then some.
1. Toronto Plays for Haiti @ Sound Academy — Feb 2, 2010
A group of Canadian bands put on a great performance in support of the earthquake victims in Haiti. There was a genuine feeling of wanting to help in anyway possible. Care Failure of Die Mannequin summed it up best “I don’t have any money but I’ve got six strings and a sing-song”. It was a pay what you can event and a bunch of money was raised for a good cause. Music performances by The Trews, Moneen, The Junction, Die Mannequin, Ill Scarlett, Choclair, The Salads, Maestro Fresh Wes and USS.
