Man Man Rock Rock Toronto Toronto

May 27th, 2011

Last night Toronto’s Lee’s Place was transformed into a rock and roll circus of sound, all thanks to Man Man’s energy filled insanity that is their live show.

Here’s what you need to know about Man Man…

- They’re an experimental indie rock outfit out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Their instruments include everything from a piano to a bicycle to a saxophone to a flute and more.
- The band members go by pseudonyms. Honus Honus is the frontman. Pow Pow plays drums. And so on.
- Their forth album Life Fantastic just came out earlier this month. We recommend it.

Before the set even began the stage itself was a game of eye spy, covered with various thing-a-ma-bobs and doo-dads. A plastic mask draped on a mic stand. Fingers holding keys sprouted out of keyboards. Throughout the show a VCR TV plays videos of a bearded man’s face in extreme close up. All of this covered in twinkle lights, of course.

And then Man Man hit the stage, donning matching apparel and war face paint. The sardine jam-packed crowd went nuts and smells of incense and sweat began to fill the air. From the moment Honus Honus’s fingers touched the keys and began to play, it was a non-stop dance party.

With a set list that covered all four of their albums there was no new-album lull. That being said, a lull during a Man Man show is kinda impossible. From start to finish, Man Man’s lively set barley gives you (and them) time to stop and breath. During “Haute Tropique”, Honus Honus put on a glittery trench coat and began throwing confetti and feathers into the crowd. For “The Ballad Of Butter Beans” he dressed up in a sequin tunic and ran around the stage. Every song was met with crowd sing-a-longs and scream-a-longs. By the time the show came to a vigorous close (a deserved encore later) with the much-loved “Van Helsing Boombox” it’s a wonder how they had enough energy to even walk off stage!

Currently touring North America, Man Man are a must see live. Check out their upcoming tour dates , grab a ticket, and prepare yourself for the best kind of madness.