Date Night: Jesus & Mary Chain at the Phoenix, Toronto

Note:  This post has nothing to do with crafting, sewing, or cooking.  I was going to write a post about the value of having date nights with your spouse (so necessary!).  Then I thought about a DIY concert shirt but didn't make one in time.   Then I thought about not writing anything at all.  But, I just went to a show for my favourite band from when I was a teenager (and now as an adult) and it was so awesome that I wanted to write about the experience.  So read on if you want to learn more about a great band!!

So as mentioned above, one of my fave bands of all time is the Jesus & Mary Chain.   I loved them so much when I was in high school.   They were so unique and so different than what was on the radio at the time.  My first intro to the band was through the album Psychocandy, arguably one of the best albums of all time.

Best Album Ever!  (Image Source:  Wikipedia)

The first and only time I saw them play live was back in 1992.  They played a show at the Skydome for their Rollercoaster tour and I was thrilled that it was an all ages show (finally!!).  Then they broke up in 1998 (boo!).  In 2007,  I wanted to go to see them at Coachella but it was 2 weeks away from our wedding and we had way too much to do.  Then a couple of months ago, a friend told me that the Jesus & Mary Chain were coming back to Toronto. I didn't think I would ever see them live again unless I hopped on a plane.  Naturally, I was really excited to see the show.  But, with everything happening with the kids and my shop (more on that another day), I forgot to buy tickets. Seriously.  So last week I found myself without tickets and totally bummed out.   As it turns out though, I was lucky enough to find a pair at the last minute (what would I do without the internet??)

Hubby and I now had plans for our first date night since Joshie was born.  It was totally overdue!  We dropped the kids off earlier at the ILs and prepped them for their very first sleepover.  It was so nice being able to leave the house with keys, money, and our tickets.  No diaper bag!  No sippy cups!  No toys!  We can actually hold hands!!!!  We are old enough to drive and not take the TTC! 

The show was held at the Phoenix which is probably one of the only clubs in Toronto that hasn't gone through 10 name changes.  It's still kinda dive-y but a great place to be.  Hubby and I used to go there on Saturday nights for Club 102 retro nights.  Aah... the memories.  Two noticeable changes for us were: 1) there was no need for I.D.  2) there was no "pat down".  I was a little surprised that there was no frisk given the recent gun violence going on in the world.  Not complaining, just saying...

We arrived at around 9:45 pm but still caught about 4 songs from the opening band Nightbox.  The room was less than 1/2 full.  By showtime, the room was pretty packed.  I was hoping the Reid brothers weren't going to fight onstage and disappear because 20 years is a long time to wait to see a band live.

Just Like Honey is probably one of their most popular songs:

I wish they played April Skies instead of Sometimes Always.

I wish they also played "You Trip me Up"

There were a couple of restarts and there were times when I was sure some mumbling was happening because I couldn't hear Jim sing actual words.  It had nothing to do with my makeshift tissue paper ear plugs!  

I decided not to bring a phone or a camera but totally regretted it afterwards.  But again, due to the wonderful world of the internet, I guess I didn't really have to!  Jessica Paré from Mad Men was a guest vocalist which was kind of cool!  

Set List:

Snakedriver
Head On
Far Gone and Out
Between Planets
Blues From A Gun
Teenage Lust
Cracking Up
All Things Must Pass
Some Candy Talking
Happy When It Rains
Halfway to Crazy
Just Like Honey (With Jessica Paré)
Sometimes Always  (With Jessica Paré)
Reverence

Encore 1:
The Hardest Walk
Taste Of Cindy
Never Understand - after this song, Jim said thanks and "this is it".

Encore 2: 
Sidewalking - After leaving the stage for a minute or two, they returned.  They apparently forgot to play this song in Buffalo so they came back to sing it and then said again "this is it".  I assumed this would be the last encore so we left (also hoping our car wasn't towed since we were past the allowable free parking time).

We got home a little before 1am and it was so worth it.  I only wish we could have driven to Montreal for Osheaga so we could've seen them again.  But, it was back to reality for us.  The next morning we picked up our happy kids.  I enjoyed my evening but missed their cute little faces the next morning.  Baby bunny screamed happily when he saw us and never left my side.  Joshie was excited to see us too but he's more independent now.  The two slept in the same bed the night before and Joshie told me that when they went to bed, he slept with his foot touching baby bunny to make sure he was safe.  What an amazing big brother!

Me thinks hubby and I need to do more date nights sans enfants.  Wonder what our next adventure will be?  Suggestions?

p.s. for fans of the group, they released a photo book called The Jesus and Mary Chain (photos by Andrew Catlin) which is available for preview on Blurb.  Apparently they might be writing songs again so hopefully there will be a new album coming:!!??!!??