Walk Off the Earth at the CNE Bandshell, August 30th, 2013

Walk Off the Earth is red hot right now, a quirky band from Burlington, Ontario with an indie rock style rooted in reggae and ska among other influences. They developed a huge following on Youtube with covers of other artists as well as producing their own music, and are probably best known for their magnificent single-guitar version of Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’. Like their Canadian predecessors Moxy Fruvous and the Barenaked Ladies (who were discovered by the Youtube of their day, the booth at Speakers’ Corner on Queen Street West), theirs is a fun, infectious sound that has a foundation of solid musicianship and skill underneath it all.

Last night, the group played the CNE Bandshell in Toronto to a huge crowd that braved the unsettled weather and listened to the show in the rain. It mattered little to those there that they got poured on, because the show was that good. They played songs from their 2013 release, R. E. V. O. , and reproduced their trademark Youtube instrument throwing and catching on the live stage.

There were many highlights for me, including the Gotye cover, faithful to its one-guitar, and the last song of the main set, “Summer Vibe”, a catchy warm weather anthem which saw the stage overrun when all members of their entourage joined them.

The laidback ambience of an intimate beach party on display necessitated a crowd sing-along and succeeded with the passing of overhead oversized balls and happy bodies that bounced along despite the downpour.

What made the concert such a standout in a summer of fantastic live gigs? If I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would be this band’s ability to deeply connect with their audience. They are accomplished, versatile musicians and it is obvious that they love what they do together. Beyond that, the theatrics of their instrument tosses and high-energy, frenetic stage movements can’t help but lift the mood of those watching and listening. The steam cannons and confetti streams add to the party atmosphere when they are dispensed, and the light show made good use of different bursts of colours.

There were frequent calls to sing along to parts of the songs, and the offers were readily accepted. As well, the band stepped off the stage at one point to take a group photo below with the huge crowd behind them. This is a band that intuitively understands something I first saw in Freddie Mercury back in 1977: it is the idea that nothing matters if you don’t make the audience feel attached to you and allow them to become part of your performance. Much like watching Queen, you got the sense that this group enjoyed themselves immensely, were grateful for their good fortune, and happy to be taking everyone who had turned up along for a great ride. I can’t even imagine how much better this show would have been on a warm and dry summer night, because the capacity crowd that pumped their fists, clapped their hands, and danced in the rain last night seemed not to care in the slightest that they were getting soaked throughout the set. It was all forgotten in the way only a genuinely enthusiastic and massively talented group can make that happen. I can’t wait to see them again, although I suspect the treat of being up close and in such intimate surroundings will not happen again as their star rises rapidly.

All photos from last night’s concert are courtesy of Austin Ziegler, and the full set can be viewed here.