LIFE: A Night with Lights #MMSxLIGHTS

Lights did a special, free show sponsored by the new minty M&Ms on August 28. It was my third time watching her perform this year.

The lineup to get into the venue for door's open was a long one filled mostly with restless youths and some parents. I met my girlfriend in line with a bag of A&W and luckily she was standing fairly close up front. This meant that we were entitled to a standing space close to the stage once we were permitted to enter [because that's how General Admission tickets work, Toronto. Right? RIGHT? /s]

At 8 PM, DCF took the stage. With a band! A drummer and a guitarist joined him, and he played the songs I was familiar with from the last two Lights' concerts I went to. It was certainly different to hear him play with an actual band instead of a background track. The music still had its pop and hip-pop sensibilities, with drum loops playing alongside the live drummer along with some delicate electric guitar work. However, I still don't much care for his voice. He just doesn't have a passion and timbre in his vocals comparable with some of his contemporaries. I want to hear him belt out like Tyler Carter, but instead he sounds like a talented karaoke singer. Use your diaphragm, man.

Leave your mans

Our girl Lights was next and her presence, voice, band, and music was what it was all about. The venue was the smallest one I've seen her play at, and it managed to be a different experience because of it, even though I've seen this setlist twice already. This time, there wasn't much flashiness on stage; she didn't change her outfit once, the lighting was basic, and she just seemed happy to be there despite the humidity. It felt like I was watching any of my favourite "emo" bands playing, since there was a focus on the music and performance of it all. Her standout performances were "Up We Go" and "Moonshine," with the latter getting an emotional moment from her since it wasn't a single on her new album and we all knew the words.

She's powerful

I enjoyed this concert, especially since it was free, but it was a pleasure seeing her again as always.