Eclectic Circus

Twins Tegan and Sara were scheduled to open for the Killers at the ACC on Saturday. Because of a late cancellation, they switched to a last-minute headlining show at The Phoenix . Despite the sudden change, the show sold out within the hour. Not surprising, as these indie singers have long graduated from medium-size venues.

The club was divided in half by a metal barrier: all ages at the front, drunkards at the back. Without an opening act, Tegan and Sara came out early to raucous cheers. Though they might be identified with angsty pop, only Nineteen, Call It Off, and Not Tonight kept that wistfulness. With a full band, all their songs were punchier and more propulsive: Back In Your Head, Alligator, even Walking With A Ghost. It was practically a dance party as they debuted dancier tracks from their upcoming album: I'm Not Your Hero, I Was a Fool, the despairing Now I'm All Messed Up, and the steamy Closer. With the inclusion of their dance collaborations such as Feel It In My Bones and Bodyworks in full thump-thump-thump arrangement instead of their usual stripped-down acoustic takes, it was a full on hands-in-the-air party for the fans.

There was also the trademark banter as they thanked the fans for their support, talked about highs and lows, and told good and bad on-the-road stories. For Tegan and Sara fans, it was a rare opportunity to savour their music in a relatively intimate setting.

Set list: I'm Not Your Hero, Back In Your Head, The Con, Walking With a Ghost, Hell, So Jealous, Where Does The Good Go, I Was a Fool, Now I'm All Messed Up, Nineteen, Arrow, Alligator, Feel It In My Bones, Closer.

Encore: Call It Off, Not Tonight (mashup with Springsteen's I'm on Fire), Living Room, Bodyworks.