Originally Published: 2010-02-07

WAVELENGTH: A key component of the Toronto music scene’s creative health over the past decade has been the Wavelength live music series (and its associated publication). It has provided adventurous independent bands (and solo artists) a weekly forum for showcasing their talents, and has attracted a very loyal audience. The upcoming festival (Feb. 10-14), which celebrates both 10 years and 500 shows at five different city venues, has a highly impressive lineup. The Music Gallery on Feb. 10 features BRUCE PENINSULA, PONY DA LOOK and DEEP DARK UNITED, while Steam Whistle hosts a killer bill that includes HOLY F***, THE RUSSIAN FUTURISTS and FEMBOTS (Feb. 11). On Feb. 12, long-time Wavelength venue Sneaky Dee’s presents FROM FICTION, THE BICYCLES and LAURA BARRETT, while the festival’s biggest name, rock heroes THE CONSTANTINES headline a bill at SPK (206 Beverley) alongside DONNE ROBERTS, PICASTRO and ROCKETS RED GLARE. The festival concludes at The Garrison on Feb. 14 with a strong lineup comprising KIDS ON TV, THE BARCELONA PAVILION, MEAN RED SPIDERS, NECK, and BOARS. Feb. 14 also marks the end of the weekly Sunday night incarnation of the Wavelength music series, but there are plans to re-launch the series in a new monthly format in the spring.
FRANK TURNER: The first two Toronto gigs by this acclaimed English punk/folk singer/songwriter were certainly wildly contrasting. The first was a huge show at Molson Amphitheatre, opening for American punk heroes THE OFFSPRING. The second came last week at a house party for 25 fans. Popular local music journalist STEVE MACLEAN hosted the event, and the lucky few invited (including OTB) thoroughly enjoyed the intimate living room set from Turner. He’s most often compared to BILLY BRAGG, and the comparison stands up in that both write songs that mix the introspectively personal and the political. Turner’s songs touched on atheism, the monarchy, and the life of a troubadour, and his between-song anecdotes were also highly entertaining. He also gains bonus points by naming LOUDON WAINWRIGHT as his favourite songwriter. Turner followed this gig with shows at The Horseshoe and Dakota, and clearly made some new converts here.

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