View full post for all photos, by Kashish.

Update: several rebellious encounters occurred with the security guards over the issue of said umbrellas. Some of my friends pointed out to them that many people had sneaked in umbrellas, so they haughtily picked theirs up from what the security had amassed and walked back in.  

McCarren Pool was the busiest I’ve seen, and Feist performed with perfection. I am always saddened by the image of her that has been created by people, though well-intentioned, who only know her through music videos and promo photos, or for that matter, through only studio recordings. She is no goddess, they say, and I say that too, but she saves rock and roll, and she must be watched live to believe this. It was only when she told the story of a Janet Jackson concert attendance at the age of 11 or 12, it struck me that her music, with its clear roots in blues and essentials of rock, is an honest representation of how “rock and roll” has collected, after gushes and falls and transformations and simplifications and complications, into this generation.

Update: more photos added.Â

More after the jump.

As for the rest, there was a new guitar that she asked to be named. Suggestions flew in the form of paper airplanes (and sometimes paper balls or just plain shouts). She seems to have considered seriously, the suggestion “McCarren”. Also of interest was a four-track demo version of “Leisure Suite” that had been recorded right before Let It Die. She recently rediscovered it and had the band learn it, the result of which reveals what determination, excavated now in a feat of archeology, had been buried in it six years ago.

I missed Grizzly Bear, save for two songs, and they were once again sounding pristine. Then there was Kevin Drew, or Broken Social Scene presents. The album has got something to it, and I will be discovering that something in further listens, but the performance itself was pretty alright too (Brendan Canning, by now quite bearded, played a song that is coming up on his own solo piece). Though I must say, it wasn’t quite “Broken Social Scene” and it probably would’ve been if other key members were present, or if just more of them were. Someone requested “Almost Crimes” and Kevin said, “Yeah, I like that song too” though Brendan asserted that this was 2007 and the program had changed. Later, though, we heard “Super Connected” and the faster version of “Major Label Debut,” both of which sounded like a somewhat shrunken version of Broken Social Scene, although Feist came out for the latter and was greeted with a roar.

August 29, 2007

After all the exposure to magazine spreads featuring Feist’s pretty face, it was much relief to see one my favorite badasses in person. Her live version of songs have always been more gutsy (and often more blues-y), but the material from her latest, The Reminder, does especially well. “My Moon My Man,” for example, sounded almost legendary. “Sea Lion Woman,” which has been a live favorite ever since she started playing it, was an absolute blast and a great choice for the encore. Feist’s boyfriend (and Broken Social Scene frontman) Kevin Drew made an announced entrance for a solo piano accompaniment to a slow version of “Lover’s Spit.” But he also casually came back with a tambourine for “Sea Lion Woman,” dancing away silly with Bryden Baird, Feist’s trumpet player. It was a great sight.

More after the jump.

Feist was at her best, grinding guitar licks and singing flawlessly. With the lights off and the band already into “Honey Honey”, she sneaked on to the stage with a sparkling arm band she put on the microphone stand for some “razzle dazzle.” Someone immediately yelled, “hot dress!” Later on, before beginning “The Park,” they collectively whistled bird chirps, signalling the audience to do the same. While Feist tuned her acoustic guitar, Bryden picked out a guy named Jeff for his unique whistle. Feist asked him to come to the stage for the second time to record an intro loop for “The Park.” There were some nice sing-along moments, one of which was to make up for the missing “Conan Choir” for “1234″ (which will be performed tonight at Conan O’Brien’s). From what I hear, this choir will include Ladybug Transistor’s Gary Olson.

A flyer in distribution outside announced an August 29th date at a ticketed McCarren Pool show. According to it, members of Broken Social Scene will be Feist’s special guest, and they will play from Kevin Drew’s new album, Spirit If. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday.

The show was opened by Grizzly Bear.

Town Hall
June 11, 2007

Previously:

• Kevin Drew + Feist (photos from Summer Stage)
• Grizzly Bear played Town Hall (w/ Feist)
• Feist played a (moving) bus

[youtube tyRhNYp_1GE]

[youtube Is2q0t44hIg]

I imagine these TV appearances will be happening frequently now, and I had forgotten how surreal these TV shows can be. I like what Feist has to say about not feeling at home in France.

[youtube LH80r_Asldk]

So. Feist is dating Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, they say, and some Stereogum readers think Drew’s an asshole. Though I’ve little to say on their personal alliance (and more on the professional, if you’ll read on), I wanted to provide evidence, in pictorial form, of Kevin Drew’s Feist Worship that I picked up on from little, perhaps unnecessary, observations, though this worship neither proves nor disproves his asshole-ness. Also, my real motive here: I had temporarily deleted my Feist Summerstage photos when I re-did this site, so I’m using this as an excuse to bring them back.

And now, the evidence:

And, of course, there has always been this:

On their professional alliance: Feist is a uniquely amazing singer, but I know this only because I’ve heard her sing songs like “Our Faces Split the Coast in Half” and “Shoreline,” which Amy Millan and Emily Haines can’t sing for shit. Her music is outstanding, yes, but I don’t think it showcases her voice like Broken songs do.
And now the remaining photos; Summerstage 2006:

[youtube zWrNCCx2p5U]

You can also download it here.

Webside #4, “The Water,” can be exclusively found on Feist’s virb page.

[virb http://www.virb.com/external/video/6219/ahe9eXDsWEpphvsLs82jpABCl2CVA3xa]