Florence + The Machine - What The Water Gave Me

Florence + The Machine played an incredible show on Friday night at Deer Lake Park in Vancouver. After being sick with throat issues and forced to cancel a few European dates, Florence Welch came roaring back for the first show of her North American tour. Although she didn't absolutely slay it on every moment of every song, her big voice came out in full force during every important moment and then some. She truly commanded the stage, running side to side and climbing on the lighting. The Machine rocked out too. Any time you get to see a guy playing a massive harp you're in for something special.

From the first song you could tell that this show was gonna be all about the hits and creating a magical musical moment during each one. She played "What The Water Gave Me" second, mystifying the crowd with her beautiful voice before building up to the epic, rocking climax. Next came a powerful "Cosmic Love" in which the harp was fully introduced. Then came a great moment when during "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" she told the crowd to raise someone onto their shoulders for the entire song. Instantly hundreds of girls were on the shoulders of willing friends and boyfriends. I even looked back to where a group of my friends were to see 12 year old Tiana rocking out, high in the sky.

But the best moment of the show had to come during "Dog Days Are Over" when Florence got the entire crowd jumping up and down for the entire final chorus. It's a very cool feeling to be jumping with 10,000 other people while watching a performance of one of the greatest pump up songs of all time. She came back for a solo encore of the beautiful "Never Let Me Go" before sending everyone home rocking to "No Light, No Light". Just an amazing show, proving that in a short amount of time Florence + The Machine have the chops to perform and rock crowds like the biggest names in music. Here's a taste of the epicness of the show: 

The Walkmen - Heaven

Opening band The Walkmen played a solid set to get the crowd going. I didn't get to see much of them since we got there a little late and I needed to get beers. But I did get to hear a rocking version of my favourite song of theirs, and one of the best of the past decade, "The Rat" as well as their closing tune and new single, "Heaven". That was the unprecedented 5th time that I have seen any band live. I've seen the Walkmen play at Richards On Richards, Sasquatch 2009, Venue (the only time I actually purposely paid for a ticket just to see them), Sasquatch 2012, and Deer Lake Park. They're such a cool band that still doesn't seem like they've made it; road warriors who just can't catch that big break. Those who like them like them a lot and know that they are an important rock band. Here's that new single, with the super-catchy riff, "Heaven":

Some thoughts...

- Went to the Whitecaps game with my soccer team yesterday and we and a fucking blast; Whitecaps hectic! Plus they beat the top team in the league.

- Tomorrow night is show 4/4 for me in the past 10 days. Here's hoping Big K.R.I.T. can top them all, though it'll be tough to best Florence.

- Today was trade day in New York as the Rangers acquired power forward Rick Nash and the Yankees picked up Ichiro Suzuki. Both teams got a lot better without giving up too much.