Music

Hollerado wins favourite new artist at 2010 CASBY Awards

by Anne T. Donahue

To say last night’s CASBY Awards drew in an energetic crowd would be an understatement.  With audience members launching into full-blown crowdsurfing at the start of Hot Hot Heat’s opening performance, it wasn’t a shock that by the time Alexisonfire closed down the night, attendees had upgraded to a (controlled) form of hysteria.

Enthusiasm was the name of the game.  With the audience consisting mostly of Edge contest winners, people came prepared to party, and as appearances by various Canadian talents continued throughout the night, the increased number of cheers and verbal contributions became a testament to just how well the crowd could hold their liquor.

With a dynamic performance by Hot Hot Heat setting the tone for the sixth annual CASBY instalment, the award show-meets-concert event kept up to speed, matching the vibe set up by the BC natives and making no over-the-top displays while presenting the winners with their respective awards.

As each was dispersed, live sets prevented the feeling of pretentiousness or entitlement as winners Tokyo Police Club (NXNE Favourite New Indie Release) and Hollerado (Molson Canadian Favourite New Artist) lived up to their reputations as being bankable performers boasting bona fide talent.  Confetti was launched, the front rows erupted and as an overwhelming response answered each band’s set, you couldn’t help but feel proud of the performers that were once relative underground secrets.

However, while most award recipients were treated to positive responses from the increasingly energetic crowd, it was the announcement that Three Day’s Grace took home Favourite New Album that changed the tone.  With boos and jeers greeting the pre-recorded video footage of the cowboy-hat wearing lead singer and his three supporting members, the only thing left to do was exchange awkward glances with fellow attendees hoping an actual backlash wouldn’t ensue.

Luckily, any resentment was diffused with the appearance of Favourite New Single winners, Alexisonfire, who it seemed most audience members looked forward to seeing most.  Launching into material from older albums as well as a track off their upcoming EP Dog’s Blood, the crowd literally went wild, with moshing, headbanging and even beer can-crushing greeting the St. Catherine natives.

Though their set consisted only of a select number of songs, each was performed with the vigour and intensity that brought the band attention in the first place.  And while attendees would’ve undoubtedly loved a full-blown Alexisonfire concert experience, what they conveyed in their few songs was still enough to remind the masses about both their staying power and their ability to make even the most reserved listeners move.