The Gossip Stole My Heart

The Gossip blew my mind last night at The Opera House.

I mean, Beth Ditto can sing. And I don’t mean in the way that singers can sing. I mean in the way that Aretha can bring you to your knees with one note sing. She can can reach inside you and squeeze your guts out. She could make you do things that woman. Anything she wants, anytime she’s ready. And I’m pretty sure she knows it.

She was up on stage belting it out with no inner ears (and you just know the sound is junk up there) so old school, it was like seeing someone from my parents era. And not like seeing Mick Jagger or Iggy Pop haul their aching bones around a stage these days, when you have to squint to see what they were once like. You get the gist of their former greatness, but it’s not the real thing. Well she is. The band too.

I wasn’t even a huge Gossip fan before last night. They have songs I like of course, who doesn’t like their breakout hit, “Standing In the Way Of Control” or “Heavy Cross” off their latest album, Music For Men? After last night, I’m totally and irrevocably converted. From the “Dimestore Diamond” intro with its pulsating drum and bass pounce that revved up an all-too-eager-to-dance crowd all the way into “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, the Tina Turner cover they did as an encore. The Gossip took us to church alright.

But all I kept thinking was, “why the hell are they playing the Opera House?” The show sold out, but for real, why not Kool Haus or 2 nights at the Phoenix like Tegan and Sara? Beth Ditto ain’t no La Roux or Flo + the Machine or Fever Ray, who are great musicians, but she’s fucking Mick Jagger meets Tina Turner wrapped in a Bowie Sandwich. She had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand. Could I gush anymore?

Yes, actually, I can. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an artist so charming on stage that they made me literally swoon. She makes this tight little fist when she hits the high notes, and by the end i wanted to BE that fist. Then she’ll turn around and giggle the sweetest little girl giggle and yell, “Hellooooo Toronto” and you’re just sold.

We did the after party with JD Samson from tour support act, MEN on decks at the Social and Beth came out. Shit bitch, she announced it from the stage. She came, she danced and at one point she deliberately put her cigarette out on one of our staff’s hand. To which she replied, ever so fittingly, “ow!…I love you”.

Live Photos By Natalie Lisa Johnson, After Party Shots By Al D

For More After Party Photos Click Here