The closing day of the 2013 version of Riot Fest in Toronto featured a bigger, better lineup thanks to Iggy Pop and the reunited return of The Replacements. In 2014, City And Colour closed the proceedings but the horde of heavyweights was quite apparent from mid-afternoon onward thanks to Metric, The National, Stars, The New Pornographers and Death Cab For Cutie.
Like a few band on Sunday's roster, Metric's appearance was more of a victory lap for a well-crafted 2013 studio album ("Synthetica"). Singer Emily Haines veered from singing, dancing like an aerobics instructor throughout the hour-long, penultimate slot and the bounce in Haines' tireless step was matched by the crowd during “Stadium Love,” “Help I'm Alive” and “Synthetica.”
Metric's biggest moment came during a stellar “Gold, Guns, Girls,” a lean jewel that roared thanks to guitarist James Shaw delivering a blistering, spirited solo. Shaw went to town on the number in the vein of Tom Petty's longtime guitarist Mike Campbell does during the warhorse “Runnin' Down A Dream.” “Dead Disco” and “Youth Without Youth” also were huge crowd-pleasers.
Another group doing a victory lap of their own is The National. The band's 2013 effort "Trouble Will Find Me" found nothing but praise internationally, resulting in a trek that will soon be closing in on 18 months. Their fifth Toronto show in 15 months saw singer Matt Berninger belt out “Graceless” and “Squalor Victoria” with all the shriek-tinged passion he usually musters while twin guitarists Bryce and Aaron Dessner kept things running smoothly.
The National's homestretch was also a bit shambolic as “Mr. November” and “Terrible Love” concluded with the dapper Berninger wading deep into the audience and leaving the Dessners to soldier on with the vocals. However “This Is The Last Time,” “Sea Of Love” and “Don't Swallow The Cap” prior made the rocky closing palatable. The band afterwards played a special surprise gig at Casa Loma as part of an Artists For Peace benefit which director Paul Haggis revealed via Twitter.
Following Social Distortion's cover of Johnny Cash's “Ring Of Fire,” Death Cab For Cutie delivered another hits-filled hour which was bittersweet for the band. Longtime guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Chris Walla is a handful of gigs away from leaving the group after 17 years. Walla and crew didn't get misty-eyed on the lengthy and rich opener “I Will Possess Your Heart,” “Soul Meets Body” or the punchy “Long Division.”
With a new record "No One Is Lost" set for an October release, Stars delivered a dance-fuelled, disco-tinged dish that made the most of its 40 minutes. Days prior the band's slot was opposite Death Cab For Cutie and The National, leading singer Torquil Campbell to tell fans they'd see them again sometime. However, organizers adjusted times and Stars savoured each second beginning with the appropriate “Take Me To The Riot.”
Campbell and Amy Millan had the crowd dancing with the new single “From The Night” (dedicated to Haines and Shaw) which complemented “Midnight Coward,” “Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It” and a nod to promising band Alvvays with a bit of “Archie, Marry Me.”
Earlier in the day, before South African band Die Antwoord turned the rock show into a high-energy rave, The New Pornographers steered through their 40 minutes minus Neko Case. Case's absence didn't cause the ensemble to suffer with material from the new record Brill Bruisers causing a buzz, particularly “Backstairs.” The new songs worked well off of staples such as “Mass Romantic” and “The Laws Have Changed.”
Other highlights included Lucero's batch of barroom Americana, the Dropkick Murphys blazing their brand of Celtic punk between brief barbs at Toronto sports fans and Nostalghia, a captivating act along the lines of Diamanda Galas led by powerful vocalist Ciscandra Nostalghia.
And of course Bob Mould's early afternoon slot seemed to be the sonic dessert that was 12 months in the making following The Replacements main entree last year. Mould and his tight supporting duo tore through Husker Du material and solo Midwestern rock gems in 40 minutes including "Kid With Crooked Face," "Changes" and "I Apologize."
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