Well ..after 12 years , Travis returned to Toronto .... Finally!
I purchased tickets 8 months ago and the night was here and of course, it's the night of the biggest snowstorm this season in Toronto. Huge lineup to get in, everyone getting belted by high winds and cold and snow, every minute outside made the anticipation for the show even more intense.
Inside, it's alot warmer and we get comfortable and up first is Akira Galaxy(real name) This American dream pop singer has a rather husky ethereal voice. Very simple approach to her show, she dances around the stage she shares with her guitarist, the songs are rather lovely. She really hits a new gear as she sings one of her cover songs that have become quite popular online. She powers through " Teardrop" by Massive Attack. Then she finishes with a big single "Virtual Eyes" that really shows off her strong voice. Believe as she builds up her songs, could hear more from this youngster
Next up is Travis
As I said, it's been awhile. Having Fran and the band back is kinda like visiting with an old friend. I love the new album "LA Times" so hearing those new songs as well as what would turn out to be an absolute brilliant set of classics, this is a perfect night
The band have been together for 29 years and over the course of the evening, the stories come fast and furious as do the songs. Stories of old girlfriends(Selfish Jean) and about the relationship of Fran's parents (Re-Offender,) and the closing of a favorite NYC bar ( Raze The Bar) highlight an evening of sing-a-longs and laughs and you don't want the stories to end. It's hard not to love every minute of the show if you're a Travis fan and have to say, if there were folks in the crowd unsure about how great the bands live show is, I don't think they were questioning that afterwards. What made Fran's efforts a little more endearing to the crowd was the fact that he had a cast/boot on his foot. He has been hobbled by an injury since falling off the stage at their show in Seattle . You can see him wince from time to time so you know it still hurts so, the fact that he still bounces around on stage makes you love the guy even more.
Fran tells more stories , about the fact that the Scottish love the use of a certain swear word that starts with a "C"..and more about their old manager who didn't want the band to tour North America (too costly) and that they were in Toronto because they fired him :)
You can see by the setlist below, the band did not short change the crowd. Plenty of old classics and new favorites and "Avalon" , their newest song goes down very well as does Fran & Dougie's version of "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears which they have not done in a very long time.
They end the show with an acoustic version of "Flowers In the Window" during which all four band members share centre stage and of course, the closer..during which, as usual, "Why does it always rain on me?" Fran convinces the entire crowd to Pogo (which is pretty tough to do with winter gear ) but it's beautiful to watch as it all kicks off at the concert Hall.
And then, we say goodbye to the band with the hopes they return soon! Unfortunatelywe have to walk back outside to the blizzard. Cold but happy
Jim
Set-List
Bus
Driftwood
Pipe Dreams
Alive
Good Feeling
Writing to Reach You
Re-Offender
A Ghost
Side
Closer
Sing
Selfish Jean
Raze The Bar
Gaslight
Naked In New York City
Turn
Baby One More Time (Brittney Spears cover)
The Beautiful Occupation
As You Are
Avalon
Flowers In The Window
Why Does It Always Rain On Me
