My First Concert Review
Broadcast Radio and Some Other Band

By Sylvia Wu
2A Mechatronics

Sylvia Wu Broadcast Radio took the stage at Maxwell Music House in Waterloo.

You know your newspaper is getting read when the publicist of an indie band from Montreal sends you a press release and a concert invitation. I don't know about our new EIC Kevin's reaction, but I was pretty flattered. The rock band in question, Broadcast Radio, has gotten solid reviews by The Hour, Nightlife Magazine, Pop Montreal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Ottawa Sun, and Lonely Vagabond, according to the press release. I have no idea what any of these publications are other than The Ottawa Citizen, but I'm sure they are all serious journalistic publications, which also implies that the publicist of Broadcast Radio thinks we are just as serious as all of the aforementioned. What an honour! I giddily accepted the invitation and looked forward to the concert date--Friday January 10, 2009.

Kevin the EIC, a more avid music fan than I will ever be, accompanied me to Maxwell Music House on Friday. It's a teeny little venue on the corner of King St. and University Ave. If you don't look hard enough, you just might miss it and go to Phil's instead. However, Kevin and I are determined journalists, so we did not go to Phil's but kept our eyes wide open and finally found the place toward the back of a little strip plaza. The place is cozy (just a better word for small, like your UWP dorm room), nothing special in terms of decor, about half of the size of the Bomber and doesn't offer food other than packaged chips. It is worth noting that the Raintree Cafe is in the same plaza and has great food, so if you ever hit up Maxwell's, you might as well eat at Raintree before hand.

As we entered Maxwell's at 8pm (per the instruction from the publicist), the place was quite empty except a few people sipping beers at the bar. There was no publicist in sight or even a ticket checker. After we sat down on one of the couches, a gentlemen kindly reminded us that there is not only a cover for the show but the show doesn't start until 9:30pm. Dear reader, please use your imagination to picture our reaction, as we just walked from Hazel and Columbia to King and University in a snow storm, and now we are about to walk back.

Some old fool says that the second time's a charm. Not so in this case. When we came back a bit after 9:30pm, there was no indication that a show was about to start. Kevin jokingly suggested that there might be a bar quota that has to be met before the show starts, and I actually checked with the bouncer. Unfortunately it was his second day of work and he doesn't know anything! More waiting ensues. Only this time it was indefinite.

At about 10:45pm, the first band, which shall remain nameless, finally showed. I really can't say much about this band as I'm no music critic. I also wasn't very impressed so I'll keep it short and simple to not hurt their feelings or anger any of their 50 "friends and family" fans. They hail from London, which shows a reasonable effort and seriousness about their music. The bassist wore sunglasses indoors. The singer has an accent I can't put my hands on. They played Oasis covers. I suggest they keep their day jobs. Aside: the band's manager/sound engineer was a real friendly fella. He handed Kevin his number and email on a napkin. Kevin also got a demo CD that I doubt he'll ever listen after his ear drums have been so brutally harmed at the show (only to be healed by Broadcast Radio later).

After 13 unbearable songs and an encore, we finally got to see Broadcast Radio in action. The music has a slight flavour of an Arcade Fire, Mobile and Broken Social Scene leftover platter--don't get me wrong, that's definitely a compliment. Despite being from Montreal and all of the band members having Quebecois accents, their lyrics are more easily distinguishable than those Londoners'! The singer Nick's vocals are strong. However, his bandmates' backup vocals cannot be overlooked either. The guitar, drum, and bass were all quite lively and full of energy. I found most of the songs a little darkly tinted with the exception of one or two. However, I'm no fan of sunshine-and-unicorns type of music, so this band fit my bill. They also get bonus points for being cute guys with cute accents.

I certify this band worthy of live head-banging and hair flipping: they are much better live than on the CD. It is sad that the London band's local friends and family crowd couldn't find it in their hearts to appreciate these Montrealers. If the first band got cheers for an encore, these guys deserve at least a decent applaud and some whistling.

Sadly, I can't comment on any of the songs in specific since the CD I purchased after the show is currently outdoors in my car's CD player and it's -29 degrees Celsius---I don't love the IW as much as my warm room right now. The CD is their sophomore album, titled Hallways of the Twenty-First Floor. It is my current favourite driving album.

If you ever get a chance to see Broadcast Radio, I highly recommend that you do. They mainly play in Montreal. As for the other band... pass unless you really like dirty looking guys with untamed long hair.

Disclaimer: I don't really know how to write a concert review as I never took MUSIC 140. Critiques and * pointers are welcome.