THERE WAS PLEASURE TO BE HAD, UNDER THE TOWER.

This past Saturday several hundred Calgarians and I were crowned queens and kings. Bell Orchestre were our minstrels. Unfortunately, instead of a castle were were seated in the Vertigo Playhouse theatre under the Calgary Tower. Actually, it's a pretty damned sweet playhouse that seems to be playing some funky shows right now; I'll have to go back.

In any case, I was hit hard that night by the Bell Orchestre. Just as hard as falling to the floor of the Warehouse at a Clutch show, but in a different way. After downing a couple of Kokanees at home I made my way downtown. I got there a bit early, picked up my ticket and went outside and smoked a joint under the tower. Once inside I grabbed a double Jack Daniels in a tall glass with a lot of ice. After downing that I made my way into the theatre and grabbed a seat near the back.

The five of them entered the stage in the dark, each wearing tape the color of light and all white clothing. Richard Reed Parry and Stef Schneider began playing a xylophone and soon after Sarah Neufeld slowly brought in the violin. Pietro Amato took up his french horn and Kaveh Nabatian hit a sound machine before picking up his trumpet. So began a night of amazing music, blissfully absent of a human voice, brought to a pretty diverse crowd. The show was the band's second as part of the High Performance Rodeo put on by the One Yellow Rabbit theatre group. The band said it was their fourth show in Calgary which made it the place they've played the most outside of their home of Montreal. This won't be for long. This is a group that should tour the globe on a constant basis.

They've managed to cature people's attention playing instrumental music. I think they're hitting a good young crowd that mostly thinks of instrumental pieces as twenty minute long overtures; that of Bach, Mozart or Godspeed You Black Emperor! That's more of the thing I'm usually into, but it's great that Bell Orchestre is blurring boundaries.

Anyways, they went on to play for a little over an hour, including a nice little encore. The band seems truly appreciative of the response of all the different types of fans. I could have easily seen there being a choreographed dance in the background, or all around the performers. This would have been keeping with the theme of the festival, and I think the band's music would work great with some form of visual arts. Nevertheless, it would be just as good if the band was behind a white sheet with a light.

They switched up instruments on a regular basis and several times Parry was basically dancing with his big stand up bass. Neufeld had pretty much every man and woman in the audience fall in love with her swaying and sexy winter boots. There was much instrument thumping, hand clapping and whistling, all by the band. Bell Orchestre make music with such feeling and passion, and play every song as if it's the last song they will every play.

I was lucky to be there that night. I highly recommend you see this band when you have a chance. This past fall they opened up for The Arcade Fire (which Parry and Neufeld play in) so you've likely had your chance. Now keep your eyes and ears peeled for your next one.

I've posted a message to them on their myspace site asking them to consider playing the Chan Centre the next time they're in Vancouver. That place was built for sound. And the Bell Orchestre make some of the best sound I've heard in years.