Photos of Japandroids at SXSW 2018 in Austin, TX
Photos of Japandroids at Jefferson Theatre in Charlottesville, VA on October 27th, 2017
QRO’s live review of Japandroids at Terminal 5 in New York, NY on February 23rd, 2017
QRO’s review of Japandroids at Dingwalls in London, U.K. on July 18th, 2013
Photos of Japandroids at O2 Academy in Leeds, U.K. on March 23rd, 2013
Photos of Japandroids at SXSW 2013
QRO’s review of Japandroids at Porter’s Pub in San Diego, CA on November 10th, 2012
Photos of Japandroids at 2012 Beacons Festival in Skipton, U.K.
Photos of Japandroids at 2012 Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain
Photos of Japandroids at 2012 London Calling Festival in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photos of Japandroids at SXSW 2012
Photos of Japandroids at Death by Audio in Brooklyn, NY on October 26th, 2010
Photos of Japandroids at 2010 Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal, PQ, Canada
Photos of Japandroids at CMJ 2009 in New York, NY
Photos of Japandroids at 2009 Siren Music Festival on Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY
We all miss live music in this current crisis, and what’s worse, we have no idea when it’s going to come back. It’s not an essential service, no matter how much it feels that way, and the crowds at a show are basically the opposite of social distancing. Yes, there are livestreams, even drive-ins and lawn concerts, but nothing replaces the visceral feeling of watching your favorite band from the front of the house, squeezed in and rocking out. So, while we wait until god-knows-when, check out the first live album from the killer live punk rock band Japandroids, Massey Fucking Hall.
The Vancouver duo recorded it at the venerable Toronto venue Massey Hall, storied on both sides of the Great White North, while touring 2017’s great Near To the Wild Heart of Life (QRO review). Singer/guitarist Brian King and drummer David Prowse energetically and emotionally crush it through songs from Life, their amazing Celebration Rock (QRO review – QRO’s #1 Album of 2012), and even 2009 debut Post-Nothing. Japandroids have never been one to lack big calls, but seemingly every piece on Massey is a big group call (from two musicians & the whole crowd), opener “Near To the Wild Heart of Life” to the evening finish “The House That Heaven Built”. Particularly notable is Post-Nothing’s “Heart Sweats” (QRO review), an old song many of today’s fans of the band probably don’t know.
Sometimes live albums aren’t necessary, just a nice bit of bonus material culled from a night on the road. But this is a band, and a time, that requires live listening.
