Berner, Spoon and Briga Liven Up Community Centre

After an unplanned change in venue and a late start, Prairie Tour 2010 found warmth in the Park Community Centre on a cold night last week. For the first time since Brandon Folk Fest 2009, people got up and danced like nothing else mattered in the world.

The music was not only pleasing to the ear, it was soulful and carried a message. Whether that message was about love, loss or a “fun dancy song about human morality” (Geoff Berner), the message was heard loud and clear.

Always a character, Geoff Berner was heard to remark, “There’s a light, but it’s not for everyone.” and “This song is an advertisement for the end of the show.” keeping the crowd on its toes even when they weren’t dancing.

Rae Spoon, while delightfully modest, was also highly intellectual and witty. Spoon encouraged a post-modernism sing-along and howling wolves to come out and play with her, with the phrase “If you overpower me, you won’t be able to hear my performance thus making it absurd. . . and post-modern.

First on the stage, soft-spoken, sneaky Briga needed to say little, but wooed the audience with her stunning voice, and twinkling eyes.

All of the musicians, varied in style, timbre and instrumentation entertained a small crowd which I’m sure would have been much larger had the event been able to play at city hall as planned. Look for album reviews next issue!

For more information as well as up coming events please visit: www.brandonfolkfestival.ca