The New York Times describes Dead Can Dance as “mixing elements of western medieval music, world-beat and synth-rocks magisterial sweep.” I've always described them as a 4AD band.
On Thursday night the Dead Can Dance were in downtown Toronto for what seemed like a sold out show at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts. The band is on a world tour to promote their new album Anastasis and this is what this night was all about. I'm not sure if the band made it to Canada for their last world tour in 1996 which was in support of their last album Spiritchaser. That was 16 years ago and inbetween this time main stays Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard have been taking time to do solo work and movie scores. I got the opportunity to see Dead Can Dance in 1993 in Toronto at The Danforth Music Hall which may or may not be Dead Can Dance's only other stop in Toronto (Anyone else see them in Toronto at a different time?).
However, last night's show was completely different. The show was definately heavier on the more recent tracks than the older tracks and completely avoided material from their earlier albums Dead Can Dance, Spleen and Ideal, Within The Realm Of The Dying Sun, and Aion. The band went through a variety of tracks throughout the evening that included playing all eight tracks from the new album, and 11 other tracks taken from various places. They did play some This Mortal Coil material.
Here is the setlist which included three encores:
1. Children Of The Sun (Anastasis 2012)
2. Anabasis (Anastasis 2012)
3. Rakim (Toward The Within 1994)
4. Kiko (Anastasis 2012)
5. Lamma Bada (N/A)
6. Agape (Anastasis 2012)
7. Amnesia (Anastasis 2012)
8. Sanvean (Toward The Within 1994)
9. Niereka (Spiritchaser 1996)
10. Opium (Anastasis 2012)
11. The Host of Seraphim (Serpent's Egg 1988)
12. Ime Prezakias (N/A)
13. Now We Are Free (Gladiator Soundtrack 2000)
14. All In A Good Time (Anastasis 2012)
Encore
15. The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove (Into The Labyrinth 1993)
16. Dreams Made Flesh (It'll End In Tears 1984)
Encore 2
17. Song to the Siren (It'll End In Tears 1984)
18. Return of the She-King (Anastasis 2012)
Encore 3
19. Rising of the Moon (N/A)
Toronto is not known for its concert venues so I was slightly surprised when Brendan mentioned that the sound in the Sony Centre was spot on. I'm more of a music collector rather than a sound quality guy so being the big fan I am the concert last night could have sounded like crap due to the venue and I would still have thought it sounded amazing.
The setup featured a very mesmorizing backdrop and a touring band including Astrid Williamson, David Kuckhermann, Jules Maxwell, and Dan Gresson. (Sidenote: David Kuckhermann opened the show with some nice work on the "hang" drums)
The crowd was definately into the night with standing ovations after each encore. Enthusiastic cat calls were heard through the night including: Lisa will you marry me; weird animal sounds; and the standard we love you;. I can only imagine from passionate long term fans. Rightfully so as the band put on an extraordinary entertaining and lengthy show.
DCD new album Anastasis is out now in North America on their new record label PIAS America. Definately worth catching the show if it stops in your area. North American Dates upcoming are:
Montreal August 24, 2012 (Tonight)
Philadelphia August 26, 2012
Vienna August 27, 2012
New York August 28 and 29, 2012
Durham September 1, 2012
Nashville September 4, 2012
Atlanta Spetember 5, 2012
Austin September 7, 2012
Thanks to the www.http://www.panicmanual.com crew for getting things sorted on Thursday night.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZDCOR2a1-E
1 comment:
They played Massey Hall in 2005.
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