Madrid @ The Drake
By: Anne-Marie Bissada
Posted: June 21, 2009 – Toronto, Canada
The Underground at the Drake is not at all the venue I had envisioned for Madrid. It is reminiscent of an elementary-school gym preparing for a dance, with a large disco ball twirling about, transforming the dark room into a pseudo-glam venue. Still, it wasn¹t until Madrid started playing that it became too apparent what the problem was: the wrong venue for a great band.
Listening to their music, you almost expect to see a group of sleek Euro men in tight jeans and shirts creating the sound. Instead, I saw two unassuming down-to-earth guys, with regular T-shirts and their hair in their eyes. After their sound check, Duncan Christie turned to the audience and yelled: "We¹re going to start this off and keep this party rolling!" The thick crowd
that had assembled cheered in anticipation.
I know Toronto crowds are not known to be the most expressive when it comes to moving about to music, but with this band playing, I¹m not too sure how people managed to just stand and gawk.
At one point, Christie asked that the lights be turned down a little from the stage so the focus could be on the crowd. Sadly, this did little to change the crowd¹s slow reaction. So Christie tried again saying, "You can all come up more." He was eager to see everyone get into the music by taking the focus off the stage and putting it on the crowd.
Madrid is not a band to watch and drool over. They're a band who create unique electronica music that propels you to move incessantly while you get caught up in the dreaminess of their style. Adam Perry's angelic-sounding voice guides you to that world of dreaminess. Sadly, the venue they were playing attracted a sea of people who could not appreciate their brilliance.
Video: "Out To Sea" by Madrid
