In Concert: Ariel Pink
Ariel Pink has been making music for a long time. Sometimes, it even sounds like it’s from an entirely different decade.
Emerging from the obscure, low-fi genre-bending records of his early days, 2010 proved to be his breakout year. The record in question – Before Today – appropriated synth-heavy sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s with a cleaner, more commercial product.
The trend has continued. Subsequent releases bare his retro affections, including the album being celebrated tonight at Toronto’s Velvet Underground: Dedicated to Bobby Jameson.
Photo by Myles Herod
His set draws mostly from the aforementioned new record, with an overview of Mr. Pink’s remaining repertoire sprinkled intermittently throughout.
Ariel Pink has been making music for a long time. Sometimes, it even sounds like it’s from an entirely different decade.
Dressed in an orange jack-o’-lantern tee, he abruptly begins the show with a noisy blast of “Another Weekend,” charging the front of the stage, embracing the high energy from fans at his feet.
Photo by Myles Herod
If there was any question as to whether attendees of the evening were hip to Mr. Pink’s spastic, screaming punk antics, one merely had to see the singer dive into the crowd while singing “Nighttime is Great!” to get the idea.
I think it is safe to say that no two shows of his are ever the same.
Judging from the crowd that has piled into the venue’s tight corridors, one can conclude that his music speaks to the more adventurous listeners of today.
Photo by Myles Herod
Fans dance and mosh to their heart’s content, upping the ante as the set-list builds. Returning the favour, Mr. Pink sticks to his weird and winning guns.
I think it is safe to say that no two shows of his are ever the same.
