Opening Eyes: Lightning Dust

There are people out there that will not go to a show when doors open, or even a hour after doors open. I have never been one of these people so I thought I'd try to shed a little extra light on those opening bands that get us warmed up for the show but inevitably end up playing to a half empty hall.

Concert: Rolling Tundra Revue featuring the Constantines & Weakerthans (Saturday night show) opening with . . .

Lightning Dust

Hailing from East Vancouver the band Lightning Dust took the stage about a hour after doors open and as they started into their first song a small group of us had gathered at the stage. Their first song breathe started with a brooding heavy tone, something that brought up images of dusting crypts covered in fog. As the vocals start in what I would describe as a sorrowful plea, it was very well matched with the entire tone of the song. It had drawn me in and as they continued into their set, I'd say they kept that slight brooding and dark feeling which really worked for them. Their third song "Listened On" made me realize why the name Lightning Dust was so familiar as they get fairly regular play on CBC Radio 3 with the track. All in all, this is one band that I had not given enough attention to and was glad to have gotten to see live. I hope that you check them out too.

I was hoping to get a chance to talk to the band members but the Commodore is often harder to get that kind of access. If I was willing to give up my front and centre spot, I would have gone to the merch table as I believe there was a note that they would be there. Sadly, they left by the time the show was done even their merch was gone so I couldn't grab a CD. Looking up on them, the band is Amber Webber and Joshua Wells from Black Mountain and I can only guess but it looked like Ashley Webber joined them on stage.

I highly recommend you check out this band and it looks like you might have a chance to see them in your neck woods as they're going on tour!
06-May-09: The Pawn Shop w/ Jon Rae Fletcher - Edmonton, Alberta
07-May-09: Broken City w/ Jon Rae Fletcher - Calgary, Alberta
11-May-09: The High Noon Saloon - Madison, Wisconsin
12-May-09: The Crofoot ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Pontiac
13-May-09: Beachland Ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Cleveland, Ohio
14-May-09: Queen Elizabeth Theatre w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Toronto, Ontario
15-May-09: Ukranian Federation w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Montreal, Quebec
16-May-09: Iron Horse Music Hall w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Northampton, Massachusetts
17-May-09: Wilbur Theatre w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Boston, Massachusetts
18-May-09: Higher Ground Ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - South Burlington, Vermont
19-May-09: Union Pool w/Soft Drugs and Family Band - Brooklyn, New York
20-May-09: Santo’s Party House w/ Bonnie Prince Billy - New York, New York
21-May-09: The Apollo w/ Bonnie Prince Billy - New York, New York
23-May-09: Schuba’s w/Cotton Jones - Chicago, Illinois
24-May-09: 7th St Entry w/Cotton Jones - Minneapolis, Minnesota
26-May-09: Hi Dive w/Cotton Jones - Denver, Colorado
27-May-09: Kilby Court w/Cotton Jones - Salt Lake City, Utah
29-May-09: Triple Door w/Cotton Jones - Seattle, Washington

As for the following show, it was pretty awesome as one would expect. The opening band Lightning Dust was something that was not so expected, a very welcome surprise.
- AofA