Daniela Garcia
Stars shine lakeside at benefit concert in Chicago 'burbs
April 20, 2008 at Northwestern University
By Daniela Garcia
Published: April 21st, 2008 | 11:25pm
Chicago weather finally has taken a turn for the better, as spring begins to take the place of what felt like an extremely long winter. The timing could not have been better for an outdoor show, as Montreal-based indie darlings Stars were the main act at One Voice kNOw Trafficking Benefit Concert, an outdoor event sponsored by a Northwestern University student initiative speaking out against modern-day slavery and human trafficking. This all was more than enough to coax students out of the comfort of their dorms and enjoy the free show and wonderful weather.
Opening act French Horn Rebellion, 2/3 of which is comprised of NU students, charged the stage with its unique, yet danceable mix of electro-indie techno beats. Vocalist Robert Perlick-Molinari never lacked enthusiasm and energy — at one point he jumped off the stage and made his way through the crowd of sitting students, offering high-fives. It was enough to get a small cluster of listeners up and jumping around to the band's energetic sound.
By the time Stars took the stage, the sun already had begun to slowly disappear and the shadow cast around the stage brought an unfortunately chilly air. As the band began the first notes of "Take Me To The Riot," only brave fans left the sunny spots to crowd around the barricade.
Stars' mellow indie pop has just the right amount of highs and lows. The band makes good use of this, as well as the four albums' worth of songs at their disposal, starting off with a handful of upbeat songs before slowing down with the likes of the tragically melodic "Personal." After seeing the effect of the song on the crowd's energy, vocalist Torquil Campbell apologized, "We bum you out. I'm sorry. It's what we do."
Returning to a steady pace, they followed up with "Ageless Beauty" and "One More Night," both of which served as testaments to the harmonious vocals provided by Campbell's croon and vocalist-guitarist Amy Millan's soft yet strong voice. The co-vocalists balance each other well, intertwining their voices into a sound that translates well live.
Throughout the show, different members of the band took the flowers adorning their set and threw them into the crowd, every so often raining down on those at the barricade in a miniature shower of rose petals. After fans swayed to a mix of lively beats and melodies, the set ended with "Your Ex-Lover's Dead," in which Campbell and Millan chant together, "I'm not sorry I met you / I'm not sorry it's over / I'm not sorry there's nothing to save."
The three- song encore that followed was extended slightly by Campbell and Millan's light crowd banter. Before beginning, Campbell declared that he just took his temperature because he wasn't feeling well, and asked if there were any medical students in attendance. Millan joked that they'll only want to take his temperature rectally, inciting laughter. As they started "My Favourite Book," Campell announced, "This is a love song. Please don't think about my temperature or my ass [while we play]." Again, in between songs, Campbell and Millan joked about their use of fake German accents (Campbell insisted upon using a lisp) and laughed about how, while in Germany, they were told they were all right, but nowhere near as good as Arcade Fire.
As the crowd around the stage began to shiver from the onset of an evening chill, Stars finished on a sweet, soft note with "Calendar Girl," a mellow ending to a well done performance.
Issue #35
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