Victoria, Victoria

I got my weekend off to a good start with the British Sea Power show at Lee's Palace on Friday. It was one my favourite shows of the year so far. It's Not The Band I Hate... already has his review/photos up - mine should be up hopefully by Tuesday. It's Holiday Monday(Victoria Day) today and I just want to take it easy.

Also my friend and I caught Iron Man on Saturday night and yes it lives up to the hype. But boy, those credits were LONG in order to get to that preview for The Avengers.

Swedish pop band The Concretes released their last LP "Oh Boy" last year but didn't tour North America(or at least Toronto) for it, but recently played in Paris, France which is their last show for a while apparently. While in Paris, they ran through a couple of intimate live performances which they filmed for posterity (links below via the band's MySpace blog):

Video: The Concretes - "A Whale's Heart" (live in Paris, France - April 28, 2008)
Video: The Concretes - "Military Madness" (live in Paris, France - April 28, 2008)

Heading to Glasgow, Camera Obscura are reported to be working with Swedes Peter, Bjorn and John on the followup to 2006's "Let's Get out of This Country". They have two handfuls of live dates this summer, though nothing on this side of the pond unfortunately.

And finally, I might as well rattle off some tour dates before the long weekend comes to a close. So a I get another opportunity to see Eric's Trip live as they're back for a show at The Mod Club on June 3, tickets $15.

I haven't heard much of The Stills these days, but they're kicking around and they'll also be at The Mod Club but on June 11, tickets $18.

I pointed out recently that Pollstar is listing The Hidden Cameras as performing as part of the Pride Festival on June 28-29 and while that hasn't been confirmed yet, I do see that Billboard is listing them playing Pride on June 28, and that Ian Cooke's MySpace says the Ian Cooke Band will be performing from 10:00 to 10:40 pm on June 28 at the TD Canada Trust Wellesley Stage, followed by The Hidden Cameras. Update: Pacquin Entertainment, lists the 'Cams performing June 28 as part of Pride at 10 pm at the South Stage, Church Street! Prior to Pride, Outside Music lists The 'Cameras to be at the Phoenix on June 12 with Rough Trade as part of an NXNE-sponsored event.

Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan for pointing out a new set of Hot Chip dates. They'll be touring this fall which'll bring 'em back to T.O for a show at the Kool Haus on September 30. Considerably sooner, Brooklyn Vegan brings just-around-the-corner tour dates for buzzy locals Crystal Castles who'll be at Harbourfront Centre on July 5, presumably as part of the Beats, Breaks and Culture festival.

Local Toronto turntablists iNSiDEaMiND are making the rounds over the next couple of months with several live dates including June 13 at Social (as part of NXNE), June 27 at Gladstone Hotel, and July 4 at Lakeside Terrace at Harbourfront as part of local record label Public Transit Recordings 10th anniversary showcase happening during the Beats, Breaks, and Culture festival.

The July 20 Toronto date for the Rock The Bells tour has been moved to Arrow Hall in Mississauga from original venue Molson Ampitheatre. Anyone happy about that? Anyone? I didn't think so.

Atlas Sound and El Guincho will be at The Mod Club on July 22, according to Pollstar.