On the Frankie Cosmos gig - Strange Venues and Cotton Candy

On Saturday night Frankie Cosmos played a sold out gig at the REC Room in Toronto… Yeah, that arcade joint that’s right beside the Steam Whistle Brewery. If you’re thinking that sounds a little strange, you’re not the only one. I honestly thought there was just a typo on the ticket when I got it and assumed they meant the WREK room, a mostly metal bar at Bloor and Bathurst.

It was an interesting experience, I gotta say, but I’m on the fence of it being good or bad… Really the only part of the night that seemed dampened was the opening act, Florists, who’s low-fi shoe gaze light duo slightly drowned with the sound of arcade games and bad Tinder dates only a curtain away.

But with Frankie Cosmos there was something almost fitting about the whole thing. It was quite apparent that this was going to be one of those lovely anecdotes when you look back;

“Hey, did you catch that Greta Kline gig at that random Arcade Bar in Toronto?”

Yeah, it will be cool.

But let’s get real here guys, its their wonderful ability to be like Cotton Candy that really jived with that vibe. When I think of trying to describe what Frankie Cosmos’ sound is like, I liken it to that wonderful carnival treat. It’s a magical tactile experience , sustainable sweetness. The only difference between these guys and the candy is that Frankie Cosmos doesn’t completely disolve, rather they stay at that gritty feel, right at the back of your throat.

Highlights of the night were definitely when they started out with Caramelize the top track off of their latest album Vessel (total banger), If I had a Dog (where some cutie in the audience passed forward some art they had done of Greta Kline’s pupper) and the encore which was Outside with the Cuties followed by Is it Possible / Sleep Song. So cool to end the show on the line

“It all makes sense now, thanks so much / goodbye forever, what the fuck?”

The show was great, the vibe was interesting as all heck, if you haven’t checked out the album Vessel yet, do yourself a favour and make an afternoon out of it while you snack away on some of that good good cotton candy. They pair perfectly, and that's a guarantee.