Autumn Hill Drop Anchor in Toronto

Autumn Hill – Anchor CD Release – June 24^th – Adelaide Hall Toronto

Last night Autumn Hill dropped Anchor at Adelaide Hall for one hell of CD Release party.  With what felt like a full house the energy in the place was just buzzin’. The night started off with Sudbury, Ontario native and label mate Andrew Hyatt.  I had a chance to catch Andrew this past weekend when he played the Sound Of Music Festival in Burlington.  This time around it was a little different.   Andrew had a full band backing him in Burlington but last night it was him and his guitarist. I am more an acoustic guy and love hearing things a bit more raw and less plugged in so this set was PERFECT for my liking.  Andrew had a solid 30 min set and if you have a chance to see him anywhere this summer I strongly suggest making the effort.

With a short 20 min break we were back at it. Now, if you have read my review about the album you will know I am a fan and when they hit the stage with the title track Anchor I have to say Mike Robins I thought was going to jump out of his skin and i am positive that Tareya cheeks hurt this morning from all the smiling.   They were so excited and it was so contagious as I looked around the room and saw all the smiles and bodies bouncing to this fantastic opening song.

They came right back at us with Return Policy a catchy little ditty that again just gave off an energy in a live setting that was infectious and the crowd was truly into it early.   Things slowed slightly with a heartfelt performance of Fire one of the more popular singles off the first album Favorite Mistake.  Mike did make mention that last night was the first time the band had performed in Toronto.  They were scheduled to perform back in November of 2014 but oddly enough due to a fire that gig was cancelled.  So this show was pretty special.  And as mentioned I don’t think the smiles left both Tareya and Mike’s faces all night.

Next up was It Don’t Get Better Than This which is the 3^rd track on the new album which almost has that anthem feeling with the way in which the song translates to a live performance again the ohhh, ohhh , ohhh and by the end of the song they had the crowd singing along.  Have to say this one is a highlight of the night just due to the energy again was so good.

Hard to follow that one up but they did.  Mixtape is my personal favorite song on the album and man does it sound great live.  When those opening lyrics of “After lunch passing in the hall. I handed it to you and walked away” it just totally brings you back to those elementary / high school days.  Right down to the tracks like Wonderwall and November Rain that both have some sort of meaning in my life relationship wise it’s funny to see how we all share the soundtracks to our lives in different ways.  So as Mixtape finishes the mood swings with the haunting sounds of Tareya voice on the opening of Can’t Keep Waiting as it turns into a power ballad it defiantly had the crowd singing along.  Reaching the half way point of the show it really didn’t slow down.  If She Wants This Town followed by yet another anthem feeling song with Good Night for Going Nowhere filled that usual lull in a set.  And to follow those tracks with their current smash single Blame I know this seems like a total puff piece but believe it’s not.  Tareya and Mike bring it.

The energy in the room on this one was UNREAL you could see the fans were feeding the stage and the stage was giving it right back.  The final two songs of the night Anything At All and Memphis wrapped up an absolutely brilliant set.  They will be hitting the festivals this year and if you have a chance to catch them I would strongly recommend you drop everything you are doing and secure tickets to the show closest to you.  You don’t want to hear about it the next day and be totally pissed you missed it.   Thanks to Ray Williams for getting some fantastic shots crappy lighting and all.

Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76

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