Simon Townshend – Concert Review March 2013

Simon Townshend at Massey Hall Toronto – March 21 2013

March 22 2013 – In what some may consider a bizarre turn of events, we were at Massey Hall last night for the sole purpose of checking out Simon Townshend open up for Heart. After having the honor of speaking to Townshend for our interview with him, the anticipation of seeing him perform was sky high. This show is loosely associated with Canadian Music Week and as such there were dozens (if not hundreds) of bands playing in Toronto on this occasion.

Townshend delivered a 40 minute set of remarkable musicianship. Set firmly underneath a couple of spotlights with guitar in hand, the man with the famous last name took great pride in his craft. Truly a great artist he did not rely on on-stage effects or even a band. All eyes were on him and tuned in to the naked words that he sang. As is the case with solo acoustic shows, Townshend would offer some audience interaction in between songs, often giving a back story to an upcoming song (including a tale about a mini mandolin that shrunk in the laundry), but at times calling out members of the audience for either walking in late or leaving early (all in good humor of course). Bed of Roses and Forever And A Day were highlights of the set which surely gained Townshend new fans.

Simon Townshend at Massey Hall Toronto – March 21 2013

Townshend is currently promoting his latest release entitled Looking Out Looking In (Eagle Rock), an excellent record that is one of 2012’s rock hidden gems. The cool thing is he was downstairs right after his set signing CD’s and posing for pictures with his fans. A mini mob gathered him the whole time he was there but I was able to catch him for a quick hello and a CD autograph before things got really busy.

Verdict: This has got to be one of the best “opening” shows of all time and as such we are declaring it as a Best of T-Mak World gig.

Heart was the headliner, and we leave you with an image of the Wilson sisters doing what they do best. (For a previous review of Heart you can check out T-Mak World’s coverage of them opening up for Def Leppard here)

Heart at Massey Hall Toronto – March 21 2013