Broken Social Scene Review

Overall Rating

Broken Social Scene are probably one of the most exciting and invigorating live bands ever to grace the planet with their presence. They're from Toronto and are comprised of members of loads of other bands, held together by the magnificent Kevin Drew. They have a rotating bunch of musicians although there's always a few of the same folk about. We've seen them with the marvellous Amy Millan of Stars on female vocals before, occasionally Feist puts in an appearance but last night it was Lisa Lobsinger.

Watching them is mesmerising as musicians bob on and off the stage and swap instruments. There's guitars, weird keyboard noises, flutes, horns and violins all competing to make what can only be described as a breathakingly melodic chaos. In Liverpool last night, on the tiniest stage imaginable, at one point 9 musicians were on the stage, swapping in and out and weaving between each other depending whether the vocalists or the horn players needed the mic at any particular moment. The banter was great, the band clearly love what they do and they delievered blisteringly upbeat and joyful versions of "7/4 (Shoreline)", "Fire Eye'd Boy", "Ibi Dreams of Pavement", "Cause=Time", and "Anthems for a 17-year-old Girl" amongst others. The crowd was unusually subdued for a BSS gig, with none of the usual celebratory dancing, but the band still delivered, even on that tiny stage in that grotty venue and even with minor equipment and sound niggles.

I cannot recommend watching these guys enough. On record they can be quite challenging and require concentration. Live they are an absolute joy to behold and all the songs come together and just make sense.