Hollerado and Meligrove Band Kick Off NXNE With 'Highest' Gig in Town

When you're at a rock show a thousand feet in the air, you have to expect your fair share of jokes about "being high." At Wednesday's NXNE gala at Horizons Restaurant in the CN Tower, Hollerado, the Meligrove Band and the Balconies did not disappoint.

"This is the highest audience we've ever played to," Meligrove Band drummer/vocalist Darcy Rego quipped after warning said audience his joke was going to be terrible.

The Balconies, billed as being from Toronto despite only moving there from Ottawa a few months ago, opened the show with 'Ghost Fever' and thundered through 10 delectable pop-rock morsels. They wrapped their set on a high note with 'Serious Bedtime,' arguably the best track from their self-titled debut.

"They're really good," commented Halifax experimental pop maestro Rich Aucoin, who happened to be in attendance for the set.

Manotick, Ontario's Hollerado (pictured above), who might wind up being the most fun band in the festival (and quite possibly the friendliest to boot) followed them with a messy, enjoyable collection of songs from their aptly-titled debut 'Record in a Bag' (yes, it comes packaged in a bag). Frontman Menno Versteeg blamed their sloppy set on their brand new equipment, as their gear was stolen only a week before, forcing them to play with unfamiliar instruments. He certainly didn't hold back when he exclaimed, "This goes out to that junkie f--- who stole our f---ing guitars. I hope you learn how to play more than 'Smoke on the Water!'"

They kicked off with 'Americanarama,' a head-nodder that explores and examines a variety of iconic American cities, and ended beautifully on 'Do the Doot Da Doot Doo.' Along the way they also played surefire crowd-pleaser 'Juliette' and 'Got to Lose.'

The band were highly entertaining throughout, filling the gaps between songs with impromptu comic moments, including Versteeg jokingly asking one of his bandmates if it was "the second highest [he'd] ever been for a show" and an exchange where band members sniped at each other over multiple pairs of soiled jeans.

The night was brought to a close by Toronto indie scene vets the Meligrove Band, who were so loud and glorious it merits mention that they, like the CN Tower itself, are too often overlooked by Torontonians. For those who missed their elevated set last night, they'll hit the stage for another NXNE set at Wrongbar at 9PM on Saturday.