White Rabbits played at the LegendaryHorseshoeTavern last week. This proud Toronto establishment has been serving the Toronto rock fans for over 60 years. It was the right venue for White Rabbits to make their Toronto debut.
The sextet played to an oddly mixed crowd of young uni students to older ‘I took off my tie so I would look casual’ kinda dudes. They have received some attention before making their first visit to hogtown, the band played on Letterman last year and their most recent and second album was produced by Spoon’s Britt Daniel.
The bands energy was high. The constant driving percussion made peoples’ heads bob and at times sent bodies crashing into one another. I love the duel drummers, one playing a full kit the other wailing away on some big ass toms.
Suckers (yes it is just a clever name) came along from Brooklyn to open along with Toronto’s The Balconies. I couldn’t say enough good things about both of these bands. So I won’t. Just go listen if you get the chance.
What might be the largest festival in the universe went down last weekend in Manchester, Tennessee. Bonnaroo has been blowing the minds of music lovers since 2002 thanks to Superyfly Production. Bonnaroo, slang for “a really good time,” is 700 acres of camping, music, art, and total bliss. The festival had me in this numb, happy state of mind, I didn’t realize the greatness I was experiencing until I sat down to write. It was only in the retelling that I started to comprehend what exactly happened there at Tennessee.
Not only was the music amazing, but I was incredibly impressed with the festival goers. Even without showers, in the hot muggy south, forced to pack into areas with other hot, smelly people, everyone was in such great spirits.
The eclectic mix of music fills the farm with ease, and for the entire 75 hours that Bonnaroo is going on there is always something to do.
It is no wonder they say every year is the best Bonnaroo. White Rabbits, Chairlift, Passion Pit, Of Montreal, The Dirty Projectors, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear, TV On The Radio, Ani Difranco, Phoenix, Crystal Castles, and Gomez,, are just a few of the bands I was able to catch on stage this year. If each succeeding year is the best year yet, I can’t wait to see what is in store for 2010.
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival begins next Thursday, June 11th in Manchester, Tennessee. The lineup is vast and is sure to include at least one band you enjoy, in an attempt to preview the event we have picked out a few of the great bands playing on each day, for a complete lineup and schedule check out Bonaroo’s site.
The White Rabbits release their newest album on May 19th, 2009. It’s Frightening is the band’s second album after touring for the past two years. The album was recorded over the course of 4 weeks with Britt Daniel (Spoon) as producer and engineer Nicholas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter) at Rare Book Room in Brooklyn, NY.
The drum filled first track, ”Percussion Gun” blasts open the album with heavy (big band)drums. It is apparent from the beginning that The White Rabbits “know which way to run.” Mysterious pianos, pounding bass, and low growling harmonies from the lead vocals of Greg Roberts and Steve Patterson fill It’s Frightening with a darker, and slightly more sophisticated sound. The White Rabbits are back in town on May 21st, 2009 at the Bowery Ballroom.
Hot Tracks: “Percussion Gun,” and “Midnight and I”
What might be the largest festival in the universe went down last weekend in Manchester, Tennessee. 
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival begins next Thursday, June 11th in Manchester, Tennessee. The lineup is vast and is sure to include at least one band you enjoy, in an attempt to preview the event we have picked out a few of the great bands playing on each day, for a complete lineup and schedule check out 
