Keys N Krates @ CMW 2009

Wrongbar

Toronto, ON

on Mar 12 2009

Sarah Kurchak (CHARTattack)

03/13/2009 2:32pm

Background / Composition:
"We reinvented the remix" is the battle cry of this Toronto trio. It's a pretty bombastic claim, but Keys N Krates mostly live up to their own hype with their live remixes — a combination of skilled DJ-ing and groovy live instrumental accompaniment.

Grade: 89

Comment:
There was not a better party to be had in the city last night than this midnight set. Within moments of taking the stage, the trio had worked the small but packed dance floor at Wrongbar into a sweaty, frenetic, hand-waving, screaming mess of fun. Standing on the edge of a flailing mass of limbs, I was less convinced at the beginning of the set. But before I could write it off as some silly hipster affectation, the group took Jay-Z's "Public Service Announcement" and transformed it into some crazy, almost Faint-esque dance rock epic. From that moment on, I was sold.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G
Pronunciation: G
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: G
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Keys N Krates live show might not be much to see, but they're not really the kind of act you go to see, anyway. There's no time for looking at the stage when you're grinding with your girlfriends and feeling the beat of the live drums, with your hair in your face, and you're totally thinking, "This is so much better than going to a club that just has a DJ spinning your favourite songs."

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: E
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The kids at Wrongbar were clearly primed and already set to party by the time Keys N Krates took the stage, but the way they slowly continued to work up the crowd throughout the set, culminating in a sweet climax of an orgiastic mix of Motown hits, was really impressive. Those people on the dance floor probably had more fun than anyone else will have in the entirely of this Canadian Music Week.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: S
Haircut: S
Indie Rock Footwear: S
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The one area of showmanship Keys N Krates might want to work on is leaving the audience wanting more. While the urge to do an encore after such a well-received set in understandable, it's probably one that should be resisted unless you've got something in your back pocket even better than your finale. The song that Keys N Krates returned to perform was by no means lacklustre and actually built to something fairly tit-rocking, but it did pale in comparison to the Motown-heavy mix that came before it. As a result, it left the audience in slightly less of a fervour then they had been before.