Friday night was alright (for fighting)… your way through the sweaty pushy crowd who packed themselves like sardines into the legendary Horseshoe Tavern. Groping and humidity aside, it was totally worth it as all three acts were awesome!

The night began with We Are the Take who totally took the show. These Toronto boys made their hometown proud when they came out rocking hard and set the bar for the rest of the evening. We didn’t know they were on the bill but were very pleasantly surprised when we heard what they had to play. We loved the layers in “Dreams” and their new song “Better Awake” made us thirst for more. Excited whispers of “who are these guys?” could be heard throughout the crowded house. The fact that it looked like you could slip and slide across their sweaty bodies was proof of the full force with which they released their sound on the eager crowd. And this was just the opening act…

Next up were The Waking Eyes who did not drop the pace (you never woulda guessed their van had just been towed. Bummer guys!). Prior to the show Rusty (guitar and lead vocals) told iheartthemusic that this was their first sold out show. Well, if there were any cold feet they certainly melted before the band took to the stage (and we’re not just saying that because the room was like a sauna, but because they started strong and didn’t waver in momentum). These Manitobans were able to be consistent in their lively performance while still maintaining the variety of sounds to their songs that adds to their uniqueness.

Making sure the electric atmosphere didn’t waver was no problem for the Arkells whose vigorous performances are becoming well known. These boys from Hamilton have been crisscrossing Canada, leaving in their wake a bevy of newfound fans. The tracks from their most recent record, Jackson Square, are injected with extra oomph when performed live. Raw and rampant, their music is infectious and compounded when on blasted from the stage.

It was an exhilarating night of music that left us totally exhausted but fully satisfied. Stay tuned for interviews with each of the bands coming soon to iheartthemusic!