102.1 the Edge

March 31, 2012 Review by: Katherine Harper. “You’ve been ace Toronto”. Trust me Gotye the feeling is completely mutual. From the minute the show opened with Eyes Wide Open I was enthralled. The ginormous video screen filled with incredible images of sunrises. The sound was perfectly tuned and the energy coming from each of the performers was palpable. Gotye was supported by a talented group of musicians. I love going to a show where the people performing are so very obviously having a great time on stage. Guitars, drums, samplers, percussion were elevated in each song with video elements. The animations ranged from landscapes to anime to abstract. (If you’re keen to know more about them you can find them on his YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/gotyemusic - I’m particularly partial to State of the Art) A pet peeve of mine in this modern day and age of concert going is the people who don’t seem able to stop taking pictures or video of the show and actually just enjoy the live performance – and apparently this feeling is also shared by Gotye as evidenced by his comments before performing his number one hit Somebody that I Used to Know. Use the power of memory he said to remember – it’s much more vivid those lo fi videos and blurry pictures. He’s so very right. Kimbra, who opened strongly for Gotye, came out to perform her solo and blew everyone away with her incredible voice, dancing – and fantastic dress! The encore started with Bronte – a beautiful delicate number – for which Gotye requested that the audience be quiet. The request was mainly adhered to but I did feel awful for the chatterboxes and the ‘whump whump’ of the bass from Guvernment that had already started up and distracted from the delicate notes of the xylophone. At the end of the number Gotye asked those whose hadn’t stopped talking to just “ leave now” and rewarded/dedicated the final two numbers to those who had shown the music the appropriate respect by listening. You thanked the audience Gotye but I would like to thank you for a stellar show that won’t soon be forgot. You’re a class act. Photos by: Martin Tan - 102.1 the Edge
updated 04.2.12