The Coast and Winter Gloves perform at The Ob

By Jessica Hinds

hind0028@algonquincollege.com

It was around the moment when keyboardist/vocalist Charles F. of the Winter Gloves nimbly climbed the scaffolding of The Ob’s stage that it became apparent: Algonquin students have no excuse to be apathetic about the acts performing there.

The Coast headlined an all-ages show on Nov. 27 with an opening set by the Winter Gloves. The bands complemented each other, sharing synth-laced sounds and a penchant for picking up the oft-underrated accompanying tambourine, while both relatively new Canadian bands brought their own vibe to the small venue.

The Gloves started the show with about eight songs from their three-month-old album about a girl. The boys from Montreal performed a lively set and did not stop short of circus tricks to get the crowd involved. In addition to his acrobatic routine, Charles F.’s monkey antics included taking to the floor to involve a small crowd of dancing fans who were thrilled by the keyboardist’s energetic shenanigans.

Aaron and Loralei Curtis came to The Observatory after hearing the Winter Gloves on CBC Radio 3 about a month ago. Loralei appreciated the intimate atmosphere of The Ob, and Curtis said he would see the Gloves’ again if they came to town.

The Coast, like their opening band have only released one album - Expatriate, but have been touring for two years, brought a more mellow mood to the show.

Although the Toronto-based band did not get the crowd involved to the extent the Gloves did, they played a solid set and attracted fans who made the snowy trek to see the band.

Carleton student Julie Armstrong was among them.

“I was dancing and I tried very hard to get other people to. I think their music is fantastic. They should be playing bigger venues,” said Armstrong who has also seen the band perform in Toronto.

Fellow Carleton student Stephanie Pegg, on the other hand, thought the atmosphere should have been livelier and said she saw no reason more people couldn’t make it out for the show.

“For Tuesday night, on a snowy evening, it was good,” said Coast guitarist Ben Spurr.

“Tonight, people seemed to like it.”

Two up and coming Canadian bands, wild antics, and tambourine: What’s not to like?