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The Sam Roberts Band took over Toronto for four nights last week, in support of their latest (read: greatest) album Love At The End Of The World. Rocking their way through a near two-hour set each night, the band dished out hits from previous albums and proved to any doubters their reputation for being one of Canada’s best live acts. The audience did their part too, clapping along and belting out lyrics to classics like Brother Down all the way to the latest single, Detroit ‘67. It was a passionate response that required no coaching from the energetic frontman.

Among the devoted fanbase were a few recognizable faces, including Alexisonfire’s George Pettit, K-os, and the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie. They drew little attention, however, as all eyes (and ears) were on Sam and bandmates Dave Nugent, James Hall, Eric Fares and Josh Trager.

Bathed in colour and often silhouetting the band with strobe lights, the live show is breathtaking to watch and adds an element of mystique to a what might otherwise be a meat-n-potatoes rock show.

If you’re lucky enough to catch Sam and the boys on this tour (which takes them across Canada until February), keep your ears peeled for a standout track from the new album called Up Sister - it features the five musicians firing on all cylinders, and is sure to be a permanent staple on the setlist.

A quick (and well-deserved) shout out to opening act The Stills - they get high marks for a strong performance each night, and you won’t regret showing up early.

Saturday’s set:
Love at the End of the World
With a Bullet
No Sleep
Where Have All the Good People Gone?
Fixed to Ruin
Words and Fire
Hard Road
Up Sister
End of the Empire
Bridge to Nowhere
Brother Down
Lions of the Kalahari
Them Kids
How I Live
Detroit ‘67

Encore:
Don’t Walk Away Eileen
Wreck of a Life
Mind Flood

Posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 4:43 pm by Dan Carruthers and is filed under Concerts & Events.

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