Pandemonium

As part of the Pan Am games in Toronto, there is also Panamania comprising of 35 days of mostly free arts event including numerous concerts. On Saturday, I went to my first at Nathan Phillip Square. The organizers have set up 2 stages to make setting up performers be more efficient.

As I arrived, Wyclef Jean ("If you don't know me, just google") took to the West Stage. He named himself the modern Sammy Davis Jr. (i.e., a "triple threat"). He certainly did everything from singing, rapping, playing the guitar (rather suggestively with his tongue at one point), and banging on the bongos. He even did a handstand walk at the end of his set. With Fugees tunes, his own collaborations (for example, Hips Don't Lie), and a number of reggae-fied covers (Knocking on Heaven's Door), the crowd ate up the party vibe and gladly danced to his exhortations.

They were a little more subdued for Serena Ryder at the North Stage. But I think it was due to some odd sound tech decisions. I don't usually complain about a concert being too quiet but there it was. So when it was just her and a guitar, it was fine. When the full band was playing, everything sounded weak and muddy. Nevertheless, there were plenty who enjoyed Ryder's set comprising of old favourites (Stompa, What I Wouldn't Do) and some brand new songs from an upcoming album (Fire Escape, Ice Age).