The Postelles and The Kooks – Sound Academy, 11-23-2011
When a band has a following, they sometimes don’t put on the greatest show. But when a band has to prove themselves to an audience, they put it all on the line and hope for the best. And that was the case last night at Toronto’s Sound Academy.
The band putting it all on the line was The Postelles, hailing from New York City. The band that didn’t put on the greatest show, The Kooks. But by the end of The Postelles 45 minute set opening up for The Kooks, they had won over the entire crowd.
The Postelles
Everything that the four piece rock band did was perfect. Their raw sound and energy were so refreshing and beyond enjoyable to witness and hear.
Aside from the true rock sound, what really made The Postelles show so great was how much they interacted with the audience. At one point, lead singer Daniel Balk asked the crowd to decide what cover they should play.
Ramones or Elvis Presley?
After a deafening roar for Elvis, Balk said, Sorry Joe! And the band ripped into a foot tapping and hip shaking version of Hound Dog. It was truly a wonderful site to see.
The Postelles looking on at Sound Academy
Even better was when Balk screamed to the crowd, everyone put your hands up! and everyone in the entire place did, including myself.
In the end, the Postelles proved to Toronto that they are the ultimate modest band, with a killer sound and not to be reckoned with.
As for The Kooks, their set was fun and the tunes were great, but overall, it was nothing special.
Now don’t get me wrong, the boys from over the pond were good, but it just felt like something was missing.
It sure wasn’t their energy though. Lead singer, Luke Pritchard, drove the entire show. Right from the beginning he was engaging the crowd, running across the stage like the Easter bunny on crack.
Luke Pritchard of The Kooks
Things sometimes calmed when he got behind the microphone with a guitar for tunes like She Moves In Her Own Way and the solo ballad, Seaside.
As for the other music, the boys played all the hits and gave the audience exactly what they paid for. The Kooks also sounded exactly like their records which was very impressive, but at the same time that specific element made the show predictable and boring at moments.
But regardless of all that, the crowd’s energy was warming. For the whole show, girls were twirling and their hair was whipping about as the guys just grooved enough to show their appreciation for the music. And that’s really what it’s all about in the end, putting on a show that the fans can enjoy, the quality of the music a simple afterthought.
The Kooks
About the Author
Sam Rashid I am a freelance journalist trying to make his way in this wonderful world. By day, I am a Ryerson University journalist. And by night, I am a music loving journalist, hanging out in music bars or attending awesome concerts.
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