040; Noel Gallagher...AKA what a night!

On November 5th I had the pleasure to attend a special acoustic set at the newly named Virgin Mobile Mod Club, formerly known as the Mod Club, featuring the one and only Noel Gallagher. It was a private, pre show warm up to his performances at Massey Hall later in the week.

Mod Club

Virgin Mobile Mod Club: a mini profile

• 722 College Street, Little Italy Toronto
• Fits 600 people (floor, lounge-ish areas, balcony)
• Concert venue - one of my favourites because it's so small, sound is crisp, and there's no barricade separating you from the stage
• Night Club - Not familiar with their system but I know there are UK Underground Saturdays

So my expectations weren't extraordinarily high, although I expected something good because well it's Noel Gallagher, the better half of Oasis. The email invited me + guest to attend a 5 song acoustic set on the re-opening night. What did I get?

• A club full of middle age people - I'm 99% sure my friend and I were the youngest in the crowd
• drink ticket - thank you virgin mobile!
• An awesome view of the stage over all the tall men
• Grown men shouting "I love you Noel" between every song, to which the cool Noel replied" there's a lot of fucking love in this room."
• An 8 song set. He played:
• It's Good to be Free
• Talk Tonight - one of my favourite Oasis songs
• If I Had a Gun
• Supersonic
• Wonderwall - I was not expecting that. Thought he'd be tired of it. 
• AKA... What a Life
• Half the World Away
• Don't Look Back in Anger - soo good.
• A poster commemorating the night on my way out

I definitely got my email's worth.

004; shhh. it's a secret show

Yesterday, Alexisonfire had a secret show at Sonic Boom and I could not pass down an opportunity for an intimate show with these guys.

Sonic Boom: A mini-profile

• Independent Record Store
• 2 floors; Music on the main floor and even more music in the basement! The stage area is also in the  basement.
• Great selection of music, current and old & new and used.
• VINYLS, CDs, T-shirts, books, and some other fun stuff. 
• Friendly staff (?) - The only actual staff encounter was asking for the ticket so it's not much to base it off of, but he seemed really nice nonetheless.
• Scott Pilgrim was filmed here!

Performance:

They started off with songs from the new Dog's Blood EP and ended off with You Burn First and Control in a 30 minutes-ish set.  Control was definitely a bonus. After George announced the show was over, the audience wanted more - but really, who wouldn't want more - and someone wanted to hear Control. So the guys talked about it and we got what we wanted : ) 

The stage was really small so I couldn't see Dallas or Jordan really well but from what I could see with George, Chris, and Wade, it looked like they were having fun. Anyways, I loved the performance. It was so full of energy and George definitely has charisma!

Chemistry: 

This was the second time I've seen AOF perform. The first time was 3 years and 2 days ago and at that time I didn't notice any tension or whatever, just saw a bunch of talented dudes loving what they were doing.

When I saw them recently, I noticed something different with one member actually. When they first came on stage, the guys were getting geared up and they noticed that they were short a guitar pick. Dallas said he left/saw (can't remember exactly) the picks near the amp. From my perspective (I could be totally off), I thought he seemed a bit frustrated when he said that. As I mentioned before, control was not originally on the set list. When the band was talking it out, Dallas said  how playing one more song was like doing a concert. I couldn't help but feel that he didn't want to be there (again, I can totally be off) doing what he was loving.

I've come to an undecided conclusion that:

a) Dallas was having an off day

b) Dallas is normally like that

c) I'm over analyzing things

Lastly, I got to meet the band afterwards and I'm still pretty happy about that - got my CD and poster signed. I thanked AOF for doing the show individually and Chris, who is actually my personal favourite, was the one I talked with most. He said how the band liked doing shows at small venues like the one we were at. It's comforting to know that the band you love like doing what they're doing, kinda like their heart is where it should belong.

NOTE: I'm not hating on Dallas.

002; yes, i'm new here. how could you tell...

So I went out to this place which I've been dying to go to for the longest time.

Sneaky Dee's: A mini profile

• It's a pub style restaurant with a tex-mex theme
• First floor is the restaurant, second is the dance floor and stage.
• Great music taste - heard stuff from Mumford and Sons, 30STM, Metric, The Black Keys (they cut it short, probably cause my fan girl was showing...), RHCP, and Vampire Weekend just to name a few..
• Great customer service - The waitress was funny, she kept on making jokes about being "new"
• Attracts a lot of "hipsters" and university students
• It's got a chill atmosphere (and it's not as sketchy as the sign looks!)

I had my first legal drink there and it was awesome. Along with my drink, I had veggie nachos and they were the best nachos I've ever had --and this is coming from a nacho aficionado. The portion was huge and there was a generous amount of topping. Aside from the food, I got to catch up with some old friends. Overall, it was such a nice experience and I'd definitely go back again.

So thanks to Sneaky Dee's - you guys have got the most amazing nachos -

and thanks to JM(The Expert) and KM - you guys are the most amazing friends ever - for a wonderful evening =] 

Currently listening to: Corona and Lime - Shwayze   ;)