Broken Social Scene Reunite On The Toronto Harborfront
We got the word on this one from a reader named Kate, who informs us of the following:
Broken Social Scene were going to have a show on the island in Toronto but because of the city strike they had to cancel it. As an apology of sorts last night they held a free show at the Harborfront. Needless to say the outdoor venue was packed. As was the stage.
She reports that Saturday's BSS lineup included, among others, Feist, Emily Haines, Kevin Drew, Jimmy Shaw, Brendan Canning, Jason Collett, and Amy Millan. All those ladies aren't onstage at the same time often these days, but when it happens, it's memorable. And that they did a bunch of BSS songs plus Metric's "Gimme Sympathy," Collett's "I'll Bring The Sun," Canning's "Love Is New," and Drew and Feist got acoustic for "Safety Bricks" and "I Feel It All." In addition to her fine reporting, Kate sent a clip of everyone digging into You Forgot It in People standard "Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl."
There were reportedly "three or four encores," so maybe some additional footage will surface.
UPDATE: More...
Posted at 9:21 AM by brandon in Video
Tags: Amy Millan | Brendan Canning | Broken Social Scene | Emily Haines | Feist | Jason Collett | Kevin Drew | Metric
>>because of the city strike they had to cancel it.
Wrong. The show was canceled before the strike ever started--word is poor ticket sales. They have milked this schtick for too many years with nothing really new to offer. Perhaps the local ticket buyers saw the same act 5 years ago didn't want to cough up the dough again.
Score = -43
the lack of ticket sales was a result of poor scheduling - not a lack of interest. The show was supposed to go on the same weekend as the Toronto indy. The crowd at the Harbourfront was all the proof you need that BSS have still got it. Also, that might be the most triumphant version of Anthems I've ever witnessed.
Score = 13
what schtick have they been milking? Feist, Emily Haines and Amy Millan would not be where they are at in their own careers if it were not for BSS
Score = 1
Watching Leslie and Emily jumping up and down, singing one of my favorite BSS songs - I could think of worse ways to spend the first few minutes of my workweek.
Score = 7
The Toronto Island gig was cancelled before the strike began and, though ticket sales were slow, that wasn't the main reason either. Organizers finally decided to pull the plug due to concern that noise from the Honda Indy would drown out the performers.
http://www.chartattack.com/news/69826/broken-social-scene-vs-race-cars
Score = 3
Official word was that it didn't want to compete with the noise of the concurrent Honda Indie race, but the MC at the show claimed it was cancelled because of the city strike. Inconsistency suggests low ticket sales. Olympic Island is suffering as a music venue, as the Virgin Festival has also been moved to Bumfuck Nowhere, Ontario, but either way it was a great show, and the third time I've seen BSS for free in Toronto.
Score = 1
I really would do anything for Emily Haines, and I don't even like chicks.
Score = 11
I was at the show and can verify this story. It was an amazing and memorable experience, to say the least. The entire show was filmed for an upcoming Bruce McDonald (of Hard Core Logo fame) movie called "This Movie Is Broken", so hopefully an officially filmed version of this show will materialize.
There were many encores, which included KC Accidental and Pacific Theme. Drew and Feist also got acoustic for "Past in Present" that segued into "I Feel It All". Other standouts included the aforementioned as well as 7/4 Shoreline and Almost Crimes. An amazing night had by all.
Score = 5
Erm...are you sure it wasn't Saturday? I saw them in Ottawa last night, which, while not as mindblowing as this, was pretty amazing
Score = 1
Is Lizzy from Land of Talk still with BSS?
Score = 0
Isn't that what every Broken Social Song is at it's core, though?
Score = -1
@ccv
While it's true that the island was canceled before the strike, the inconsistency in story is entirely due to the random, oblivious MC from the venue who also managed to botch Amy Milan's name as well as various other details throughout the night.
And what schtick have they milked exactly, by (collectively) putting out at least 5 new albums between them in the past 2 years alone, and now drawing from all of these live.
You clearly were not present, or perhaps the 2.5 hours of deafening, delirious cheering from the thousands who were would tell you something about the local crowd's position on this.
It's something truly special that this group has now achieved so much & amassed such a massive catalog (between them all) that they can do a marathon show like this, LEAVE OUT a handful of their best songs ever (Cause=Time, Ibi Dreams, Superconnected, Lover's Spit - all not played), and still sound brilliant & vital. A mind-blowing night.
As for more footage surfacing, youtube's got a solid few pages' worth & counting.
Score = 3
I was there. The show was absolutely amazing. For their encores there was Pacific Theme, KC Accidental and Major Label Debut. My friend ran onstage and go pulled away by security during Major Label Debut. The whole cast was there. Feist had a lot of energy and looked like she was having more fun than anyone. Overall an amazing show and I wish I could go back.
Score = 1
yay, they played a song they wrote for an album they put out and have played sooooo many times I can't believe anyone really cares this much, and it was played with feist and emily?? you mean like every other time they play this in toronto?? congrats for them! love the band but lets be realistic here, they played a song in their hometown and people liked it, thats what the all the hype is about?
please confirm.
Score = -17
I've seen BSS 5 times in the four years I've lived in Toronto, prior to the harbourfront show this past saturday. Not one of those shows included an appearance from Emily Haines, and most didn't feature Feist. It's not a common occurrence, no matter your level of arrogance. The video is beautiful, and this post is really about This Movie Is Broken. That's the hype, and you're a dick. Go back to Mississauga.
Score = 20
Go back to Mississauga = OH BURN
Score = 8
if youve seen them that much you need to go see some other bands because this shit is boring and so 'mississauga' at this point, i'm actually from brampton, which i think is worse. they and you need to get over yourselves and be more open to some criticism. most of the torontos artists part of this scene are government grant money supplied drug addicts who are full of themselves and I personally could give a fuck about a book and a movie after releasing 2 albums, one thats great and another thats ok. i hope my tax dollars arent going into make this self centered crap. anywho this dick has gotta go grab his train back to brampton! PS Props to JESUS's comment that was funny.
Score = -7
It was the best concert ever put on in Toronto, it was like the Last Waltz except better and they're not breaking up! Soul Unwind was awesome ...
HOW COME NO ONE EVER MENTIONS ANDREW WHITEMAN?!!! He is GOD.
Bullshit how the MC was trying to drum up anti-union BS though.
Score = 1
Definitely not the best concert put on in Toronto and comparing it to the Last Waltz is comedic.
Score = -3
the show was canceled because of POOR ticket sales. they knew the indie was on that weekend when they booked it.
either way, i was down in the area that night and the smell was pretty rank, i couldn't decide if it was the lake or the garbage strike. but it all makes sense now....emily hanes was in town.
that's one class A douche bag if there ever was one.
Score = -14
anybody see that movie that bss scored with ellen paige, the tracey fragments? the trailer for this movie is broken has a very similar style. that movie was alright but it kinda gave me a headache.
Score = 0
this movie is broken - http://www.thismovieisbroken.com/trailer
tracey fragments- http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3216113945/
Score = 0
UPDATE: More... :) from me.
Score = 0
so toronto, so epic.
Score = 2
i had tickets for the show on the Islands...was more looking forward to Explosions in the Sky/Beach House than BSS...that being said, I was at this concert...as were i have to say many scenesters who were more interested in getting drunk and karate chopping my back?!...than listening to music...why does anyone run onstage - pointless.
Score = -1
why doesn't lisa lobsinger ever show up anymore?
Score = 0
I love Lisa....I do....ST
Score = 0
CCV- Dude, Lighten up, really. Just a hunch... You are 100 lbs overweight, surf a ton of porn, enjoy Steely Dan after a Fatty (which is fine)
-Juan Pelota
Score = 1
Indy is for Red Neck Hicks...
BSS is for cool kids with a life and
Dreams, Passion and Boos in their Blood...
By the way K, Drew and B. Canning both released albums in the past couple of years along w Metric and Stars, I would say the output is quite prolific, not too mention BSS is in the studio right now working on a follow up to the Self Titled record...
Its all Gonna Break is Epic!
Score = 1
um, we Canadian spell Harbor with a "u" Harbourfront Centre is where they played... :) jks
Score = 1
this gave me an orgasm
Score = 0
setlist?
Score = 0