Friday night saw an early show from Toronto natives, Wildlife, at the Mod Club Theatre. As people slowly kept wandering into the half-empty venue, the band performed a well-rehearsed (and lit) set that spoke to their continuing and rapid spread across the indie world (like wildfire, har-har). Lead vocalist, Dean Povinsky, was spot on with delivery, and in between songs genuinely interactive with an appreciative crowd. Creating orchestral sounds magnified by the Mod Club’s ample size, the band’s strength lies in their cadence of vocals and instruments that build into catchy choruses and punctuated melodies.

Travelling north from their New Jersey base, The Ugly Club also played a Friday night set at Rancho Relaxo. As the crowd thickened, the five members delivered an intimate show, while managing to stay upright in the heat. Though it may have been a first musical encounter for some audience members, they offered songs that were laid back and easy to get into. Highlights included “Under the Great Wave”, a keyboarded and soft tempo tune with a serious electric guitar work out, and “Loosen Up”. These guys certainly suit music festivals, and maintain a comfortable appeal.

Further West, Wrongbar brought to us Jane Void and Wayne Doe, the duo that is Some Minor Noise from Toronto. In line with some of the recent up and coming electronic lo-fi bands that spend a decent time producing the sounds SMN without a doubt surprised the crowd. Void’s young energy and what appears as a don’t give a fuck attitude makes them more appealing, they’re like those cool kids sitting in the back of the cafeteria wearing t-shirts no one understands. Wrapping up the set with Pixies’s cover of “Where Is My Mind” definitely set a good mood for the rest of the night.

Saturday night started off with a Vancouver based electro-indie duo Data Romance at the Supermarket’s back room. With only a handful of people in the room Amy Kirkpatrick begun to sing. Less than a verse in mystified people begun to move over from the dinning area with their pints in hands. Everyone kept close to stage, bobbin heads and swinging from side to side in pleasant surprise. Rock on Data Romance. Rock on.

The night also welcomed in the Quiet Company, all the way from Austin, Texas, at Rancho Relaxo. Bearded and burly, the band put on a warm breeze show that featured thoughtful lyrics and contemplative harmonies, offset by a funky, plinking keyboard. Band member, Cody Ackors, also swung in some stylized trombone notes that pushed the group closer towards a deep roots sound. Professing their love for Canada and Tim Horton’s, the five guys finished up a well received set to a full house.

Another Toronto installation, PAPERMAPS, hopped on stage after Quiet Company and began Rancho Relaxo’s wee hours set. Opting to perform a wide collection of new songs set to debut on their upcoming September album, they offered the audience a glimpse into their continuing maturity and establishment of sound. Lead vocalist, Dean Marino (whom we chatted with last summer), was an intense and focused performer and filled each song with a distinct, gravel tone, while bassist, Betty Dimo, followed in a similarly set, unspoiled attention. Enthusiastic crowd reactions bode good things for this band’s future.

Meanwhile at BLK BOX, the dark back corner room of the Great Hall, Ryan Hemsworth took the stage. As people kept piling into the room, filling corners and grabbing on to balcony rails atmosphere quickly started to feel like the gates to hell swung open. Hot. So damn hot! In no time the BLK BOX filled to capacity, people crowded around the stage, dancing, jumping, reaching for the stars. If anyone was worth the wait and the heat and that sweaty guys who kept rubbing against me it would be this guy.

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DIANA, Toronto, Canada, facebook.com/DianaSound

DIANA are Toronto natives Carmen, Joseph, Paul, and Kieran. Having spent some time touring around Canada and performing at SXSW they returned home to open for no one other than Chvrches. Quite honestly, we could not think of a better band to kick start this act and perhaps even the entire Canadian Music Fest. DIANA’s music is reminiscent of early Madonna, soft in a way of luminous sounds that take you back in the sunlit early morning dreamland where everyone is in love.

Chvrches, Glasgow, Scotland, chvrches.tumblr.com

Chvrches (pronounced as Churches) have been around since 2011 and quite promptly were noted to be a very promising new music talent. Needless to say, the world caught up. CBC recently referred to them as “the most praised band at SXSW 2013” after winning the inaugural Grulke Prize at SXSW for best non-U.S. band. For a band who did not put “all of their eggs in the music basket” they sure are doing well which has a lot to do with their live performances – the band’s collective energy is contagious.

The Zolas, Vancouver, BC, thezolasmusic.com

The Zolas have always held a soft spot in our digital magazine heart. Since we got our hands on Ancient Mars last year it became clear that these guys are doing something interesting. Having seen them live we’ll rephrase that into they are doing something precious. During their interview with Quip last year Zachary Gray said it was never their intention to become a band but having found a fun way to being a band turned out to be the trick for The Zolas success.

Wildlife, Toronto, Canada, wildlifemusic.ca

A few days ago we shared …On the Heart  album review so seeing them live now was pretty much a must-do. Having entered the Great Hall at 11:30pm we sat around gazing down from the balcony wondering if the room would fill up and so it did – an hour later the entire jam-packed hall was voluntarily singing along, and I don’t mean a miscellaneous hum here and there, it was a collective musical chore with an occasional off-key wasted yell which somehow still made sense. All things considered, this would also be the first CMF performance we’ve seen where the crowd demanded an encore.

The Darcys, Toronto, Canada, thedarcys.ca

Last night’s 1am secret guest performance. If you stuck around on a school night to see this show you know it was worth it. Those who know The Darcys know the band had their share of misfortunes but they pulled through taller and stronger under the wings of Canada’s biggest music label Arts & Crafts. The Darcys live performance, much like their music, is dramatic and dark, the sound time-travels with each guitar stroke with unbreakable concentration, all of it is ghostly beautiful.

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