Pavement/BSS Toronto Island Festival

On the heels of some great NXNE performances, we had the opportunity to engage in some extra-curricular activity on Saturday.

The best and worst thing about NXNE is that there are so many bands playing in the city, bars/clubs are open until 4AM and it is non-stop party for 5 days straight! With that in mind it makes it difficult for the hard core night owl to get themselves up and ready for a full day of music, beer and beach balls on a sun soaked saturday. But for those of us that had heard the rumour that the first 250 NXNE wristband holders would receive FREE entrance into one of the most anticipated shows of the summer, you have to make the sacrifice.

Pavement were the indie darlings of the 90's. One of those bands many herald as their "favourite" band. These indie slackers carved out a niche early and really identified with a generation of artistic creatives that move past the cliche love song, teen angst rebellion. It was a rebellion based on artistic prose. A wonderful combination to say the least.

For me, Pavement was the headliner and they really took over the show. Opening up with Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain classic "cut your hair" really got the enthusiastic crowd up and ready for the party! Many of the attendants have been waiting for a pavement show for the last 15 years, and they were not disappointed. They were able to hit all the emotional strong points of their music, from songs like "Elevate me Later" and "Silence Kit". Pavement reached far back into the archives and rocked out punk rock overtures like "Conduit for Sale!" and "Perfume V". The screaming and raucous guitars made you feel as though they were in the prime of the "Slanted and Enchanted" days!

Pavement not only showed the punk roots they came from but they also were able to display the emotional nature of the band with "Here". One of the main highlights for the sun-soaked crowd that stayed the course of the day to enjoy the moonlight set of Pavement was the tongue in cheek favourite "Range Life" The song reminded me of the days driving along with my brother, listening to the band that he introduced me to. It is a wonderful experience being able to find your way back through memories and how music is an integral part to our life and memories.

Thanks to Pavement for a great Saturday. Thanks for including Toronto in your reunion. We all really needed it!