So Saturday, September 8th, on bright sunny day, Jen and I packed the car with music, cigarettes, doobies and ourselves and headed for Toronto.

For what you may ask?

Let's start from the top. Animal Collective came into my life roughly four years ago. They're music has affected me so, much like Pink Floyd and Radiohead. It becomes much more than just music, but an experience. When I listen to them, everything around me becomes null and void. I just shut it all off and let myself drift, float and dream. What more could you ask for?

...and that's when it happened. Back in May, after searching and searching for news of any new material from the Collective, I see almost flashing "Animal Collective, Sept. 8th at the Phoenix in Toronto"

So Jen and I smoked ourselves into a nice cloud and patiently awaited the show...anxiously actually...

(note: Figure 1 and Figure 2)


figure 1.


figure 2.

After standing in line to get into the Phoenix and standing in line to pick up merch (which literally felt like hours hanging out in a highschool hallway during lunchbreak) we walk in to see this....



I wanted to SHIT my pants!!!

Soon after, Eric Copeland (of Black Dice) came on stage and played this loud, heavy, noisy set that felt like one big long seizure...except enjoyable. His set lasted for about a half an hour and then it was all about the Collective.

7:30pm on the dot, Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) and Geologist (Brian Weitz) came out on stage to an uproar of applause (minus Deakin aka Josh Dibb).

The set was pretty solid in my opinion, however with Strawberry Jam being released on the 11th, it was heavily mixed with new material. That being said, they DID rock the SHIT out of "Peacebone". My head is still spinning just thinking about it. The show was a musical feast for the ears, just full of energy, complete with unvoluntary movement to the music. They're set also included People, Leaf House, Who Could Win A Rabbit, Unsolved Mysteries and Fireworks (amongst others).

It was all worth the wait. I just CAN'T wait 'till they come back again. They are a powerhouse of talent, bringing such joy into my life.


<3

If you ever so get the chance, do yourself a favour...go see Animal Collective!!!



.cheers.