ACTION BRONSON at The Hoxton, Thursday, March 21 Rating: NNNN
Every rapper claims they love Toronto, but when Action Bronson says it, it feels more believable. From spending a few days here prior to his shows at last year’s NXNE or tweeting about the local cuisine (416 Snackbar, jerk chicken), the love felt mutual at a packed Hoxton Thursday night. Playing a selection of songs from last year’s stellar Rare Chandeliers, and fan favourites like Pouches Of Tuna and the Riff Raff-featuring Bird On A Wire, the New York emcee strutted and sweated across the stage. “I’ve gained like four pounds since I saw you guys last,” joked the rapper, but that didn’t stop him from ending his set on the floor, the audience chanting his name like they were cheering on a heavyweight boxer. MM
X-RAY EYEBALLS at the Silver Dollar, Thursday, March 21. Rating: NNN
In a festival packed with hundreds of bands you probably haven’t heard of, it’s often a safe bet to check out whatever no-bullshit rock band Dan Burke has booked for three straight nights at the Silver Dollar. That said, maybe it’s best to show up on day two or three. In their first set of CMW, Brooklyn’s X-Ray Eyeballs succumbed to various technical problems, only providing glimpses of a snotty but glamorous ‘60s garage meets ‘80s synth pop sound that could kill if it ever gelled. But hey, at least they’ve got two more tries to get it right. RT
