Punched out at work and picked up my coffee at Station 1 Coffee shop in Grimsby and hit the highway for the slow ride to big T.O. These are certainly interesting times as a audiophile, just got on the Spotify train and I'm liking the ride. Listened to the career spanning mix of Blue October and even after the 20 years as a fan Foiled and Approaching Normal speak to me the most. I was more than eager to catch this band at this beautiful venue, the Danforth Music Hall. The Danforth in general is a nice departure from the claustrophobic of the downtown core of Toronto. The weather outside in the line a bit damp, a bit gray and a bit windy. Inside the venue though was filled with rejuvenation. Has been a couple years since my last show, Silversun Pickups, at the hall. It was clear to me instantly that work had been put into the venue and the space was ready to host a music loving crowd. For the opening act I stood in the merch line that snaked it's way through the outer halls sipping on a Jim Beams hard ice tea. Purchased a new T and pulled it over my head, now ready for the show. Get to my seat in the balcony kind of centred, for the best sound possible. Blue October hit the stage to the roar of a crowd that was just as eager as I am, but I'm sure for reason not exactly like mine. There was a lot of new and newer music played which is definitely a much different light than the albums mentioned above. Was easy to feel Justin ( the singers) happiness radiating off the stage, glad things are going well for him. They did Say it, Hate Me, Into the Ocean, Calling You, and Fear ( this showcased for sure Justin's strength as a singer). The complexity of the drum patterns is something of a recent appreciation I've taken away from prepping for this show. Another thing I've noticed about Blue October is the ability to adapt to the times musically but still keep something that you can mistake for another band. The mix of the violin was probably my number one question, how will that turn out? Turned out amazing and complete with a violin solo. Ryan will have you singing along to the melody of the violin to Say It, that's for sure. There was a complete stripped back acoustic moment and some humour when a lady kept screaming for 'Dirt Room' between songs, Justin was like, I heard you!. You can't always get what you want, but I did get a great show from Blue October.
