Old Montreal is so beautiful. I was lucky enough to arrive at 7AM on a Saturday after a red eye flight. In spite of the red eye flight and the lack of sleep for the entire weekend, it was worth it to have the streets of Old Montreal all to myself in the early morning hours. I wandered the streets, looking for something to be open and enjoyed some crepes and strong coffee. My walking continued to Monkland for some shopping. I was disappointed because I wasn't hungry and there was an abundance of cafes AND the shopping was not as I had expected. It was a lovely neighbourhood none the less. My brother was able to meet me later in the afternoon. We continued wondering the streets for a restaurant that didn't exist.The purpose of our short stay was to see The Presets and Cut/Copy. Two terrific Australian bands! The Presets I had seen a few months back in Toronto. My brother was suppose to come with me at that time but couldn't so we arranged this trip as a make up one.
The venue was Club Soda which I was really excited about. It was the perfect size, allowed for dancing and also had gallery seating. The Presets played a great set. Highlights for me included: The Boy's In Love, My People and of course Are You The One? Montreal crowds are terrific - they really do add to the performance of the show. Everyone is dancing, hands in the air, shouting the words. This show was tremendously better compared against the Toronto show a couple of months back. The difference, I am certain is the crowd. Montrealers are all there to have a good time and probably drink way too much (judging by the vomiting I witnessed in the streets and the amount of public urination)
The headliner was Cut/Copy. Another strong Australian band. One word. !!!!UN-FUCKING-REAL!!!!! Dan Whitford is a tremendous stage presence. Whether he is playing guitar, vocals, keyboard he is constantly moving and engaging the crowd. It was completely evident that the band was having a great time - dancing on stage, thanking the crowd gratuitously. I am now quite a strong believer in the idea of songs being crafted for the specific purpose of being heard live. I have always enjoyed Cut/Copy but this show took my appreciation to an entirely new level their showmanship is mesmerizing.
I see alot of live-dance -electro-new rave shows and rarely am I as impressed I was with Cut Copy. Opening with Nobody Lost, Nobody Found and closing with Hearts on Fire as an encore. I seriously could not have asked for anything more (okay, maybe not having to step over the girl vomiting on the stairs to go to the washroom to have to listen to a girl vomiting)
