Live: Calgary Folk Fest, Part 1

Funny how a chance to reflect can make you realize just how much things have changed in a year. In this case, the reflective shiny time surface of doom being Folk Fest. For one thing, one year ago, we didn't even know there WAS a Folk Fest in Calgary. And even if we had...well, folk still tends to conjure up images of old guys in ZZ Tops beards and the occassional hippie holding hands around the ol' Bob Dylan shrine.

Not that that doesn't happen now, of course. But now, what with all those sound experiments happening in Indie music, you'd be shocked and appalled to learn some of the acts which have managed to sneak in under the 'folk' label. Or, I guess, in our case, pleasantly surprised.


Part Un: Feist, and Malfunctioning Societal Grouping (if you want to get technical)

Day one basically consisted of adjusting to the fact that we now might be classified under the label of "folkies", and waiting in seizure-inducing excitement to see Feist and Broken Social Scene. There were other acts lined up, of course...but we suck in the way that we didn't even bother checking out if they were any good beforehand. >.>

As luck would have it, though, they were actually much more enjoyable than expected. First was Frigg, a Finnish/Norwegian/Celtic-sound ensemble that opened up the event nicely by getting everyone into the listening mood. Then Dan Bern; Dylanesque vocal style, with witty songs figuring many recognizeable cultural icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Hitler, Jesus, and Kurt Cobain. Specifically Marilyn Monroe. XD Niyaz followed, with Iranian/electronic fusion music that, though definitely cool, provoked the argument whether or not caring bongos makes one automatically cool (I still maintain that I'm right: though they are cool when played well, they don't, in fact, guarantee you such status Xp).

Finally...the moment of truth. Leslie Feist took the stage, whereupon the next 45 minutes or so were spent in rapturous wonder at how someone could possibly encapsulate so much awesome without breaking some law. So much so, actually, that she was called back for an encore (one of the only artists throughout the weekend to achieve such recognition.

And last, but not least...Broken Social Scene. Ahhh...what really needs to be said about them that hasn't been shouted enthusiastically from the tops of mountains? Though I am still fiercely determined to see "Windsurfing Nation" played live one day, I am perfectly content with the fact that every other song selection seemed to be a favourite of mine. From the energetic strains of "Major Label Debut (fast)" to "Almost Crimes to" to "Ibi Dreams" to "Fire-Eyed Boy", there wasn't a single moment where us "Scenesterer than Thou" indie kids didn't have to fight the urge to dance. I kid, of course...>.> We gave in.

So very, very easily. XD

Next Up: Day 2, whereupon we discover that the guys in Elliot Brood are wickedly cool, that it really is too bad that "When The Night Hears My Song" was, in fact, written by Bedouin Soundclash, and we escape Macy Grey by the skin of our teeth.