#CanadianMusicWeekPresents Indies With Indie88
May 4, 2016 marked the 16th Annual Independent Music Awards, also known as “The Indies”. This year was pretty different from all the other years I have attended for a number of reasons. Firstly, this award show is usually held in a hall of a hotel, this year it was held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, which made it feel a lot more intimate and exclusive. Secondly, the award show is usually one of the last shows I attend during CMW due to the fact that it takes place on a Friday or Saturday night, this year it took place on a Wednesday making it the first CMW show I attended this year. Lastly, this award show used to be put on my Sirius XM Canada, this year it was put on by a more “fitting” radio station Indie88. Hosted by Indie88’s Raina Douris and with performances by Alberta Cross, The Zolas, The Strumbellas and Wintersleep this years SOLD OUT indie awards was definitely one not to miss!
First up was Alberta Cross, an indie, alternative, folk, rock band that is based in New York City. As soon as Petter Ericson Stakee and friends (his band members) stepped on stage the crowd began to cheer. Alberta cross played a number of songs from their newest self-titled album including “Western State” and “Ghost of Santa Fe”. For being the first band of the night Petter and the rest of his band mates played an amazing set to open up the night.
The Zolas were the next band up to play. These west-coasters really knew how to get the crowd moving! Playing a mixture of new and older songs allowed those who never heard of the band to get a feel for what this upbeat band has to offer. The Zolas played “Molotov Girls”, “Swooner”, “Strange Girl”, “Get Dark” and “Invisible”
The last band of the night was Wintersleep. Having been a fan of Wintersleep for a number of years I have always wanted to see them live, and now I can finally see why they are as well liked by so many for so long. Not only does every member of the band have amazing stage presence but they also know how to rock. From killer guitar solos to harmonizing vocals everything about their performance was flawless. Just like the other bands of the night Wintersleep played a mixture of songs from their newest release “The Great Detachment” including hit single “Amerika”. While most of the songs they played were newer songs they did play one of their most known songs from 2008 “Weightly Ghost”. Overall Wintersleep allowed the 2016 Indie Awards to go off with a bang.
Click HERE to see the list of winners for this years Indies!
[Written by Christina Puccinelli, Photos by Stephanie Puccinelli]