Le Clubbing

On Thursday, I headed over to Smiling Buddha, a small bar on College, with great anticipation. The Dø was on their North American tour. Over in Europe and especially France, this Franco-Finnish band sells out to thousands. Even here, they will be playing 2 sold-out nights in Montréal at a 500-person venue. But here in Toronto, Buddha can probably fit 100 people.

I don't know how Dan and Olivia of The Dø feel about it. They have played twice here before also in small venues. But it means that for myself and the packed crowd, it was an opportunity to be up close and personal. And their new album, full of synth beats and hooks, was perfect for this club-like atmosphere. So the band led us through almost every song on their 3rd release: Miracles (Back In Time), Keep Your Lips Sealed, Going Through Walls. Even old tunes like On My Shoulder and Slippery Slope got the dance treatment.

It was one of the best show I've been to. The crowd really got into it. With the small size and the dancing, everybody was drenched in sweat, band and audience alike. By the time they ended with Despair, Hangover, and Ecstasy, my clothes were soaked. Olivia enjoyed the enthusiasm and led us through several sing-alongs. One kept going and going as she urged the crowd to keep it up when the refrain would die down. She then grinned devilishly, "I hope you don't all hate me now". Dressed in a red one-piece, like a stylish Bruce Lee from Game of Death, Olivia kept the crowd's focus. When you look like a model complete with razor-sharp cheek bones, make chic kung-fu moves, and sing in a high, angelic alto, it'd be hard not to be the centre of attention.