Camden Crawl Meets Canada
May 03, 2010
Saturday afternoon saw the start of Canadian Blast’s hectic may schedule. Taking over the Fiddler’s Elbow bar in Camden Town, Canadian Blast presented it’s first ever Camden Crawl Festival showcase, featuring the amassed talents of Mayor McCa, Artur Dyjecinski, Octoberman, The Wilderness of Manitoba and The Rural Alberta Advantage.
Kicking off the afternoon was the maverick bearded one man band wonder that is Mayor Mcca. Playing to a mix of festival goers and slightly bemused locals, McCa soon had the whole venue charmed and singing along with his “Drinking Trilogy”. When playing at the start of a long weekend, having a song called “Hooray for Beer” in your repertoire can come in handy. Having won the crowd over he finished the remainder of the set before setting off a crowd noise loop and running off stage and individually thanking everyone in the room.
Artur Dyjecinski and his band were up next with their fine line in brooding lo-fi melancholy, Although touring solo, Octoberman’s Marc Morrissette was joined for some of his set by some of the members of The Wilderness of Manitoba.
As the afternoon wore on the Fiddler’s elbow become steadily more full, and by the time The Wilderness of Manitoba took the stage for their European debut performance the venue was packed and buzzing to the sound of new Canadian talent provided by the Canadian Blast DJ’s. Yet the hubbub was hushed by the bands four part harmonies, and before long the band captivated the audience.
Closing out the afternoon was another European debut, this time from The Rural Alberta Advantage. Having landed earlier that morning, the bands set belied their jetlag and they tore through the songs taken from debut album hometowns at great pace. Despite not officially being released in the UK until later this month, many in the front row sang and danced along, while those at the back of the packed room had to climb on chairs to catch a glimpse of the band. As the event ended, fans were lined up to catch a few words or a picture with the bands. It wasn’t until two hours after the end of showcase that the final audience members left into the cooling May rain.
Up next for Canadian Blast Octoberman and The Wilderness of Manitoba at the Slaughtered Lamb, May 4th, and a pre- Great Escape Pure Groove Instore with Foon Yap, RIch Aucoin, The RAA, Joel Plaskett and Woodpigeon on May 11th.