Famous or Infamous

There's hints that Basia Bulat can play big venues. She's always sold out her shows in Toronto, although they were for smaller spots like The Mod Club or Polish Combatants Hall. Her debut at Massey Hall didn't quite fill the large venue, even with the specially reduced ticket price of $18.93. But with a second pop album out this year, bookers was likely betting that she could move to the 1500-capacity Danforth Music Hall.

A sold-out crowd was raucous for the home-town singer, who is currently residing in Montréal. For long-time fans, there was perhaps some disappointment because Bulat only played 2 songs from her older, folkier albums. She has fully embraced the pop sound from Tall Tall Shadows and Good Advice. I'd never thought I'd see raise-the-roof arms at a Bulat show. She is also developing a great pop persona amid a full band, sparkly outfit, and professional lighting. Luckily, it wasn't the awkward dancing of the past few shows. Someone commented that she sounded better live. It's true. The muddy mix of Good Advice doesn't do justice to the range and strength of her voice, her playing chops from piano to guitar to churango, and her charming stage presence.

Bonjay opened the night with a booty-shaking mix of grimey dance music and modern reggae. Though some people gave in to her exhortation to "move!", most didn't seem to know what to make of this force on stage even if they were blown away by her powerhouse vocals.