Ben Folds was great. Why didn't I start listening to his stuff sooner? It's catchy, and funny, and sometimes very moving. And he does a super live show -- lots of talking to the audience, and there is something inherently cool about someone who can get the audience to sing in three-part harmony. I really enjoyed the set.
And then... the main event. Tori was great (IMNSHO). Set list follows:
Wampum Prayer
A Sorta Fairytale
Little Earthquakes
Sweet Sangria
A cute little improv about crossing the border and trying to prevent the customs guy from waking Tash up
God
Bells for Her
Father Lucifer
Take to the Sky
Wednesday
[solo "Roadside Cafe" part starts]
Cooling
Carbon
Something I didn't recognize but which the Internet tells me was "Running to Stand Still" by U2
[band returns]
Putting the Damage On
Corflake Girl
Amber Waves
Siren
Professional Widow
I Can't See New York
Precious Things
First Encore
Bliss
Rattlesnakes
Second Encore
TomBigBee
Tear in Your Hand
Hey Jupiter
So happy! I got Take to the Sky again. I love that song. It is probably my favourite B-side. I always feel lucky and excited when she plays it. So that was good. Lots of other really good stuff in there, not all of it what you'd expect. The only song I was unimpressed with was Amber Waves, but then I just can't seem to make myself like it. It gains a little bit live, but... still.
And I would just like to say... that woman has the weirdest clothes.
I'm not going to bother with any more of a review than that. There are other places you can go for that. Here's a Toronto Sun review.
We sat next to a very nice girl on one side (I would have liked to get to know her, but was shy!), and a couple on the other side. The people around us were mostly good and respectful, except for two youngish-looking girls in front of us who were chain-smoking the whole time and checking their cells for messages. They got up to go to the washroom so many times I was wondering if there was some other show in there. Gah. But they did not spoil the show for me -- I was too happy to be there. I'm so glad I went, even if it was a whirlwind trip. It was worth it.
After the show, we started looking for a place to stay, and finally ended up at a cheap motel a little ways off the highway. It was certainly cheap (and cheap-looking), but it was clean and the desk guy was nice, so I have no complaints. We got up the next morning a little later than intended and drove like bats out of heck and made it back to Ottawa slightly later than anticipated.
And then... but that's for another post.