Sloan

With the High Dials opening for Sloan, we were prepped for one of the best performances I have ever witnessed.

With the majority of the their set off the new album, Action Pact, the crowd composed of loyal fans, dressed up for Hallowe'en, sang along with passion. Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, Patrick Pentland, and Andrew Scott (members of Sloan) put on a show that kept the crowd screaming for more. The energy never subsided during their hour and a half set, especially after they were brought back out for an encore during which the band played hits from their previous albums.

As usual, most of the members of Sloan made it out to greet the remaining die hard fans who patiently awaited for their graces. This loyal fan finally got the final signature (from Patrick) to complete his collection which began at his first Sloan concert here in Ottawa 7 years ago at Porter Hall.

Hey everyone!

This concert was fantabulous!! The opening act, the High Dial, was amazing too.. I'd have to say the night was definitely worth the wait.. I had the chance to meet Chris and Jay after the show and let me tell you, they're 10 times cuter in person plus they're super nice guys.. Too bad I didn't get to see Patrick and Andy.. Oh well, it's definitely an excuse to see Sloan in concert again.. Peace! xoxo

This was my fifth time seeing Sloan, and it was probably the best show yet. Chris' grand finale involving the birthday cake in his face was certainly a surprise.

Many cool photos to come!

If aliens landed in my back yard and demanded that I take them to see a REAL rock show or else die, I would smile, wink at them and then take them to see Sloan.

Sloan rocked the "Capital" last night with an uninterupted maelstorm of recent hits that had a knowing Ottawa audience frothing like any good civil servant's cappucino.

Like the Jonathan Richman we listened to while we waited for Sloan , I really hope that it doesn't take 20 years for people to realize what a treasure we have in these boys from Halifax. Sloan's days are right now and nothing is as close to the real thing as we again witnessed last night.

The boys were great as always, It was a full out rock show that ended much to soon. They always leave us wanting more. Chris looked as though he lost about thirty pounds of sweat on stage and he kept going strong until the end when he smooshed a cake on his own face. The new songs sound amazing live, the crowd really got pumped, and the die hards were very pleased to see Andrew stand up to sing the people of the sky. He was of course, as handsom and mysterious as ever. We had a nice chat with Jay and Chris after the show which was pretty cool. Jay,s the kind of guy everyone wants to be best friends with. And let me tell you, these boys are so engaging and sweet because they put up with alot of silly drunk talk that night. Jay had mentioned a possible stop in Ottawa in April, so lets all be good and hope they seriously consider doing so. If not, try bribing him (Jay) with promisses of Beyonce, You'd be surpriseded!!!

It’s always fun to see Lynn Saxberg at a show. For more hilarity, always be sure read her review in the Ottawa Citizen after. Her usual article-accompanying glamour shot with those two-for-one (with coupon) Lens Crafters special indie-rawk burgundy glasses (no kidding, they’re ready in about an hour!) and smeared red-lipstick is indeed a better look for her than the bright purple ‘fro she was sporting on Hallow’s Eve (granted, with my ill-fitting glasses, KISS-esque makeup, and frightful orange wig, I shouldn’t talk). Just when I thought she couldn’t look any sillier, nor sound any stupider, she manages to dazzle yet again with her Sloan review (Ottawa Citizen, “Sloan shows off new heavyosity but band's meaty chops made older material sound a 'tiny bit lame',” November 2, 2003). Did anyone else think “Everything You’ve Done Wrong” or “Coax Me” sounded “a tiny bit lame?” I mostly refuse to believe that Navy Blues even exists, I certainly don’t own a copy, but even I thought that “C’mon C’mon” and “Money City Maniacs” sounded good.

To her credit she did seem to like what she heard overall, with some notable exceptions: “Drummer Andrew Vincent, however, should stick to drumming. When the time comes to execute the Sloan instrument switch, a characteristic of every show, he should resist the temptation to sing.” Drummer Andrew Vincent, Lynn? I must have missed the notice that Andrew Vincent & The Pirates are now Andrew Vincent & The Sloans. As for drummer Andrew Scott, Lynn once again could not be more wrong. When he steps out from behind the drum kit, he teaches the rest of the band how it’s done up front. The low point of his songs was only butterfingers Chris Murphy.

“Deeper Than Beauty,” one of my favourite songs, was wonderful with just Chris and Patrick. I’m not even being sarcastic; it was an enjoyable semi-encore. Chris wanting to slow it down for some audience participation, and Patrick just drumming away, then Patrick being more reluctant and Chris wanting to rock out. Absolutely fabulous! The sexy highlight of the night for many girls and boys, myself included, did involve a tongue, but it was not Chris licking the microphone; rather, it was Jay licking birthday cake off Chris’ face.

It occurs to me only now that this is much more like a letter to the editor than a show review. Oh well. Thank you, though, for being kind enough to a slightly intoxicated, hive covered, scary, shy, plump pumpkin girl and her companions. And, most of all, for autographing our inflatable Halloween ‘air’ guitar! Pictures, as awful as they might well be, are indeed forthcoming.

After waiting more than usual for a rock show to start the Hi Dials came on and at first I was skeptical because of their overwhelming graciousness. However, when that bassist started up I was more than impressed. One of the best I have ever seen. He rules that band.
Sloan was perfection. Peering through cowboy hats and afro wigs was a downside but the light show was superb. Sloan has improved their live performance so well.
A cake in the face and Jay in a white tux coat with tails was so worth it.
Deeper than Beauty, The Good in Everyone, and If it Feels Good Do it were perfect choices for the encore songs. Just perfect.
This show was everthing I hoped it would be and more!

Great show!!!

Thanks for tossing back my Visine, Chris. I needed it!

Amy :)

Talk about your tricks and treats - the smallish venue, the costumes and the birthday cake "incident" all made up for a faboo Halloween night with the boys. Action Pact rocks live and the classics are called that simply because they are.

And - sorry about nailing you with the Visine, Chris. Hopefully the Tootsie Pop tasted better!

Looking forward to the Kool Haus!

Andrea

Great photos Ken! Really amazing. I wish that I was up there that close!!

wow. that's all i have to say and that i have a crush! i just wish the show could've lasted longer!! being front-row-centre was a bonus. i can't wait for the next tour. ----------will sloan be in europe this winter? that's where i'll be and i would love to find you.
ps to "ken" sorry about my camera getting a little too close to your personal space. great pics by the way.
"false alarm" ...shivers all over!

..."fall in love in small incriments"...chanta

This was the most amazing event that has ever happened to me in my life. I was able get back stage passes through a friends friend. I was able to meet everyone, and chris took time to talk to me and my friends alex and emma while the high dials were playing. Chris is honestly the coolest person i've ever met and i am still in shock after meeting him. I am a very big fan of sloan though i was a bit young to listen to them when they first came onto the scene. Chris had the rest of the guys sign a picture for each of me and my friends.
I'd just like to express my gratitude to the guys for being so cool about talkign to us.
Thank You again Chris, Andrew, Jay, and Patrick
Sincerly Scott