Vancouver Turns 125

On July 8th, 9th, and 10th, Vancouver celebrated its 125th birthday with a series of live concerts in Stanley Park. I didn't make it out on the 8th (due to the fact that it was my 19th! Yay. But that's another story), but I went both the Saturday and Sunday, and saw Said The Whale and Dan Mangan. While taking public transit home from Stanley park at midnight is a long and painful ordeal (why must the bus that goes my house stop at 11?!) these concerts were worth it. It was awesome to see great music, for free, in a venue as beautiful as Stanley Park.

I've been a Said The Whale fan for a while now, and have seen them play several times before. They've always been enjoyable to watch, and Saturday was no exception. They played lots of new songs (very apologetically) and had great crowd interaction. I didn't bring my camera for their show, but it was a great one.

But then came Dan Mangan.

I thought I was kind of a Dan Mangan fan before, but I did a pretty half-assed job. I only knew a few of his songs, and listened to him on a semi-regular basis at best. After last night though, I am a full-on Dan Mangan fanatic (in a non-creepy way). It was honestly some of the best live music I've ever seen. Even though I didn't know about half the songs, and he played a lot of new songs, every single one was awesome. Although he started about forty minutes later, he played for almost two hours, ending well past his scheduled end time (with the mayor's blessings, of course). Not only is he an amazing live musician, but the whole atmosphere of the show was great too. Despite there being probably thousands of people watching, it had a very chill vibe to it, and everyone was having a good time (although he did slip in a few riot references... it was just too easy). He knew how to talk to the crowd, and at one point several giant, glowing balls were being tossed around the crowd, which added to the light-hearted feeling, in a slightly odd kind of way.

My two favorite songs of the night (although I can honestly say, I enjoyed every minute he was on stage, and some of his new songs are really great):
1) About half way through his set, Aidan Knight walked onstage and played his song "Jasper" with Dan. OH MY GOD SO GOOD. I love this song anyways, and is one of the few songs that I actually attach sentimental value to, and it is EVEN BETTER live. I was almost giddy listening to it.
2) The very last song of the night was "Robots," which people had been calling for all night. Not only is it a great song, but it's even better live, and everyone (I'm talking EVERYONE) knew the lyrics, and were singing along. Also, a random fan wearing a tin foil robot head got pulled up on stage, which was nice. And finally, a bunch of the other bands who had played over the weekend joined him on stage, including Said The Whale, Aidan Knight, and Hey Ocean! By the last bit, everyone was singing their hearts out, and waving their hand hearts, which is usually kind of lame, but somehow just worked. I found a video of it on YouTube. I highly suggest watching it through.



So basically, to summarize: I love live music. I love it even more if it's free. My respect for Dan Mangan has sky rocketed (Although his lyrics are sometimes kind of silly). I still love Said The Whale. And while usually I hate when people post concert pictures (they are always blurry/shitty quality), I'M GOING TO POST SOME ANYWAYS. I'll keep it at a reasonable number, and try to get decent quality ones. Check it out after the jump, and don't forget to click on them to see them larger.

Gingerbread

 

   

Cookies! Who doesn't love them? (Don't answer that, please.) My mom just happens to make the best Christmas baking (possibly ever) and these gingerbread men are what I came home to yesterday.

Gingerbread man army, don't be afraid

I've long come to term with the fact that the Christmas season = baking = excessive indulgence into all sorts of sweet and tasty things. Despite knowing this is not healthy, I really don't care. Cookies are wonderful, and that's that. This break might as well be PigOutFest 2010 for all I care... I'm a little tired of res food and must take advantage of this food while I can. That's sounds reasonable.. right?

In other news, I know I'm back home to the North Shore, as it is currently monsooning out my window and I'm a little scared to go outside in case I drown. Ah, Blueridge, how I missed you and your excessively rainy weather.

Now for you guys who are looking to increase your hipster status/find cool things to look and listen to/live in Victoria and want to know about all sorts of events/like to spend time on the internet, you can amazingly get all of these things here. A few of my sisters friends have this site that I mentioned a while back but I figure it's worth a mention again. It's 1/4 blonde who contributes some good music, 1/4 beard who contribute some sweet videos and occasional manliness, 1/4 guy who I don't know but seems pretty chill, and 1/4 girl who writes some seriously hilarious stuff (and about food, so really how can you not be at least a little intrigued).

Now, for two Canadians singing in the snow:

Jasper by Aiden Knight and Dan Mangan

Sooo good. AmIRight?

Back in Vancouver!... Temporarily.

So, I just got back from a week away at my favorite place in the world, where I was busy reuniting with family I haven't seen for most of my life, spending time on the beach, and absorbing lots of music. Oh, and taking pictures. So many pictures. It was probably (no, definitely) the best Hornby experience ever, and I've had a lot. I'm off to Vernon tomorrow for a while for my cousins wedding, but I'll leave with a play list, "Hornby 2010".
Jasper- Aidan Knight with Dan Mangan (Most catchy chorus ever)
Sigh No More- Mumford & Sons (give it some time to get better and more intense)
Fake Plastic Trees- Radiohead (Always a classic)
Look At Miss Ohio- Gillian Welch (I couldn't find a non-live version)
Tik-Tok- Ke$ha (I'm not saying it's good..)
Sexy Chick- David Guetta (Fist Pumpin')
False Creek Change- Said The Whale (Again, only a live version)



So many pictures, but I think this is one of my favorites. (with my new lens! That I have used quite a bit, and am totally happy with)