Toronto Island Festival: Sunshine, Darlings, et al.

Yesterday’s Island Festival was enticingly predictable.  Collective Concerts and Arts and Crafts teamed up with some of North America’s hottest names in music and creatures from Ontario’s most glorious capital city (and surrounding areas) came together to kick off the 2010 summer of festivals. With much to look forward too, it was a Kindergarten day in the park.

Beach House held down a pretty average pre-drink while late comers sauntered through the ferry gates for a unexpectedly temperate evening of music. Basically throwing down their entire album, the set was as unmemorable as it was at Coachella earlier this year. In hindsight, the days line-up was built with the intention to rise as Band of Horses followed them. Soulless, really.

I suppose there is something organically stimulating about Band of Horses that is hard to master. They’re tight, they’re hip, and they’re a less melodic and more structured Tragically Hip circa ’96. Ryan Monroe is clearly an exasperating addition to the band, and the ‘group think’ on that is all across the board. They played some old, some new, but opening with “Great Salt Lake” was strategic as they swept through an oligarchal performance while the sun settled.

BSS.  For a moment, deconstruct whatever monstrous capacity they are occupying forever and always, and pend upon Amy Milan of Montreal’s Stars absence from the stage.  Was she there? Could you see her from the shade of paired Escalades in the parks back forty? Regardless, my sources tell me, “the rendition of “7/4 Shoreline” with a full horn section behind them was absolutely awesome” and Emily Haines jerked men tears with “Almost Crimes” as to be expected.

Pavement on the other hand was forcefully good. “The Hexx” come on? Making Kevin Drew feel ‘special’. A must. Answering to requests from the VIP and throwing down a little encore “Debrise Slide” is hands down exactly the reason why Stephen Malkmus is as genius as he is cool.  Kids who still aren’t born eat his temple and the journey he’s taken the entire music industry through is still lighting faces across continents. I traveled to California for this man and fans lusted peachfully at his every move this weekend. He’s worth every penny, t-shirts et. al.

A cordial run ins with JSG, my new bud Shad, and a Kimmel sighting, the park was packed with yours trulies and a colossus of integrity filled chill wavers. Passing suncreen and dobbingtons like odd jobs, umbrellas flew to protect the delicacies of summer dermis’ and all the times people were happy, healthy, and wise.

Radical day but cost some their night. Next Stop: Osheaga

Timber Timbre was ayight.

Photos by: Ms. Courtney Lee Yip