Nightbox Pack Out CMW Concert: 'We're Having the Time of Our Lives'

Posted on Mar 12th 2011 4:15PM by Jessica Lewis
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Last Gang

"We're having the time of our lives over here!" Nightbox singer Jake Bitove said to the audience gathered at Toronto's Underground Garage Friday night. The young Toronto (by way of Wicklow, Ireland) electro-pop quintet have called Canada home for the last few years, and were clearly excited for their second appearance at Canadian Music Week.

Considering the group's synth/computer master James Shelly admitted that last year's CMW show was empty, the group have come a long way. They packed the Underground Garage (which, by the way, is neither of those two things) in the city's entertainment district, making sure to whip up a dance party as ceiling smoke machines billowed in their direction.

With the band's good looks and catchy hooks, they've obviously developed a passionate following.

Just last week, the group celebrated the release of their first self-titled EP and were joined on stage by producer Sebastien Grainger, but the Death From Above 1979 singer/drummer didn't make a repeat appearance here, which likely disappointed a few hopeful DFA 1979 fans.

However, Nightbox has so much energy, particularly singer Bitove, that the guys won't always be known as the band who was produced by Grainger.

The set, which was pushed back an hour due to scheduling problems, featured all four 'Nightbox' tracks from the EP, as well as older songs, plus a new one titled 'Utopia' and a slow, groovy cover of the White Stripes' 'Blue Orchid.'

Shelly told Spinner afterward that now the band's current "dream" is to tour Canada. "I want to go to all those cities, like Saskatoon!"