I obviously like going to see bands play live.  I feel it is a fair trade for my money.  I’ll gladly shell out dollars to watch a band work.  I often take on to a band and then surf to see when they’ll be playing in Toronto.  More importantly – where they will be playing in Toronto.  My heart sinks a bit when I read the venue being The Kool Haus. I’ve seen some good shows at the Kool Haus and yes, there are worse venues in the city…but not many.  It is in between intimate/small and cavernous/big.  Not a huge fan.

I couldn’t make it to the Raconteurs gig at the Kool Haus on Thursday, so I did what I always do…browse for other reviews.  I came across the review that The National Post did and I love the first sentence – a well communicated point that sums up exactly how I feel about catching a gig at The Kool Haus,

“By the time a band makes it to the Kool Haus, there is a good chance that you’ve already missed what was great about them.”

Very, very true.

Because I wasn’t at the gig, I’ll send you to a well written review from the Post, but I’d like your comments and feedback from the show because multiple reviews are better than one and…I trust and enjoy all of the reviews from you faceless friends.

Image Credit:  Newscom

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Big concert announcement

A self-described “new band made up of old friends,” the Raconteurs feature the White Stripes’ Jack White and power pop maestro Brendan Benson on vocals, keyboards, and guitars, and the Greenhornes’ drummer Patrick Keeler and bassist Jack Lawrence as the group’s rhythm section.

As if the gig wasn’t hyped enough…the addition of The Sadies adds a local flavour to the bill.  This isn’t one of those shows where you sneak in just in time for the headliner…this is one to make a night of.

Check it out…tickets on sale now.

Image Credit:  Ticketmaster

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Earshot Media is happy to announce that The Raconteurs‘ new album, Consolers of the Lonely, will be available for download through www.theraconteurs.com starting at 12 am EST tonight. At midnight EST you will be able to visit the site, choose your territory and download the album in a matter of minutes.

Don’t want to download? You can pick up the album at your favorite retailer starting tomorrow.

The Raconteurs pioneering ‘fans first’ concept allows everyone to experience the album at the same time. Check it out…it is sure to be a solid album.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Tuesday will be a big day for Raconteurs fans. The Raconteurs – consisting of Jack White and Brendan Benson – have reportedly ‘rushed’ the release of their second album entitled Consolers Of The Lonely.

The album which was finished only weeks ago (the first week of March) is highly anticipated as the band teased fans with the notion of the album likely to be a “drug-fueled” record.

Consolers Of The Lonely will feature 14 tracks, and is a follow up to 2006’s Broken Boy Soldiers.

According to the band, the record was pressed immediately upon the final touches of production. The group added that they wanted the sudden release so that everyone, fans and media, got the record at the same time “so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it’s availability, reception or perception.”

In a further attempt to beat Internet leakage, the band will promote the album after the release. A video for the single “Salute Your Solution” will appear online on March 25 as well, although the band–featuring Jack White, Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler, and Little Jack Lawrence–prefer that fans download the album as a whole.

As a White Stripes, Raconteurs and Jack White fan, we are anxious for this release.

For those that pick it up on Tuesday, be sure to email comments or provide them below.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged