Phoenix Fest Review
On Wednesday, January 31st, The Aviary hosted a student organized and produced show called Phoenix Fest: created to feature local bands and artists involved with Victoria School of the Arts. While bands were playing in the front on the stage, in the back Scarlett, Elle, Chloe, and Lyel were selling their gorgeous handmade art. The Aviary is a small venue located on 111 ave --just northeast of Victoria School-- and with a maximum capacity of only 160. Adorned with a painted fox in a suit at the front and its iconic bright orange door, you can’t miss this staple of the Edmonton local scene.
Fans of the midwest emo genre would find the opener, Stadium 11, particularly appealing. Their set included twinkly guitar riffs supported by fast and intense drums and guitar which help keep the band’s genre undefined: a mix of emo subgenres to create a fresh sound unable to be put in one box.
Stadium 11, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
Stadium 11 definitely knows how to make a connection with its audience-- playful and friendly banter between songs helps warm up the crowd and keep them interested in the set. At one point the band references the game Team Fortress 2 to introduce their song “Badwatervideos2009”, named after a map in TF2 called Badwater Basin, which got the crowd very excited. “Big day for annoying people”, as said by one of the band members in response: a great example of Stadium 11’s tongue-in-cheek crowd work.
Stadium 11, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
The best way to describe their set is the feeling one gets when looking up at the stars in a big open field, that weirdly comforting existentialism. It’s beautiful and breathtaking, but also unnerving. The world is so big, the sky is so big. We are so small in comparison to the never ending sky, and the universe threatens to swallow us whole, but isn’t it so beautiful we’re still here despite that? How lucky we are to be able to share this moment together? This feeling is only heightened by the aforementioned use of twinkly guitar: like a shooting star across the night sky. Their song, “I Made Pants, Also I Hate Every Part of Myself That Hurt You”, plays beautifully into this feeling as well -- that self reflection and themes of human experience that persevere throughout their music.
Stadium 11, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
You can support Stadium 11 on Instagram - @stadiumeleven
Next up on the setlist was No Skies, a local punk band made up entirely of students from Vic: Joel and Elijah on vocals and guitar, Jack on bass, and Finn on drums. No Skies’ can be categorized as hardcore punk: reminiscent of bands such as Descendants, Minor Threat, Have Heart and Fugazi. Their music is very intense, tough, loud and killer. The whole venue trembled, and a pit broke out almost immediately. The intensity of the sound vibrates throughout your whole being; the roaring nature of their screaming vocals flows through your veins right to your core. No Skies is the perfect band for a passionate and exciting mosh pit: “the pit was like a meat grinder”, said one of my friends after the show. It pulls you in, a relentless force fuelled by the energy of the crowd and music.
From left: Joel, Elijah, and Jack of No Skies, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
This is what it’s all about– it’s all right here in the middle of the pit– this is what live music is about. The pressure and flight of the pit is what everyone is here for: a common goal, a common interest, a bond between the audience and the band. To be able to feel it, to be able to provide that feeling. This is why local venues and shows like these are so special: to keep the scene alive, to keep that feeling alive. For that moment, everyone is connected, all feeling the music.
The Aviary crowd during No Skies’ set, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
You can support No Skies on their various social medias:
Instagram - @noskies.yeg
Spotify - No Skies
Apple Music - No Skies
The third set of the night was Synesthesia: a band which meshes all different kinds of genres to invoke a sort of psychedelic feeling -- a welcome attack on the senses. Like their opening song “Synester” said, "Don't be afraid to let go… Let her guide you/Let her take a step inside you”; Synesthesia does exactly that: guiding you through the trip they have carefully constructed. Their music is very reminiscent of 80’s rock, with elements of screamo and gothic rock. Similarities to the riot grrl genre can also be found in their songs “$12” and “So What!”.
From left: Adrian and Chloe of Synesthesia, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
The content of the set was pleasantly energetic; clearly many people in the audience were already very big fans of Synesthesia, as the crowd was full of people singing and dancing along. One of the band members, Chloe, mentioned how many people in the band are Vic alumni. She thanked and acknowledged all the other Vic students in the crowd for coming out, recognizing how we were all able to gather together due to our shared school and love for music; how we wouldn’t be able to share this moment if fate didn’t allow us to all be connected in some way. This type of crowd work is a distinct part of the love for Synesthesia, the bond and dialogue they’re able to share with the audience just completely elevates their set. The band is able to encourage audience participation, directly asking the crowd to sing along and even providing key phrases for newer audience members to grab onto (specifically in “So What!”).
Adrian of Synesthesia, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
Unfortunately, near the end of the set there was a consistent ringing sound which may be accredited to technical issues. This is a local venue after all, you have to anticipate that there will be technical difficulties. This was extra unlucky as Synesthesia tends to have quieter vocals behind their guitar and drums in comparison to the previous sets. Eventually, it became difficult to hear the set as they were drowned out by this loud ringing going on, as well as the louder instruments and their distance from the mic.
Kaylee of Synesthesia, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
You can support Synesthesia on their various social medias:
Instagram - @synesthesiaband_
Youtube - @SYNESTHESIABANDYEG
Facebook - @synesthesiabandyeg
Nearing the end of night, the second to last set was played by Midnight Diner: a band dedicated to the indie rock genre. Sonically, Midnight Diner is reminiscent of bands like Twin Peaks, Plumtree, Radiator Hospital, and Vacations. The band is super energetic, matching the energy of their fast guitar and vibrant drums as they bounce and dance on stage. This is exemplified by their drummer, Xavier, who is especially lively on stage as he headbangs along with the music. Eventually, the venue began to shake with the collective effort and infectious joy throughout the building. Their vocals are clear and loud enough to be heard over the intense guitar; people hearing Midnight Diner for the first time would definitely be able to pick up on their lyrics quickly.
George of Midnight Diner, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
Despite the fast paced nature of the bands original songs, such as “Painters Tape” and “And 1 Works”, Midnight Diner excels in being able to produce a sort of comforting and intimate atmosphere during their sets. These fast originals are contrasted by slower love story-esc cover choices, with covers of “Dræm Girl” by No Vacation and “Wasted Affairs” by Mind’s Eye being their slower choices of the night. Midnight Diner knows exactly what their crowd came to hear: that iconic indie sound featuring themes and sound derived from power pop and that animated energy which is a staple of Midnight Diner. This is delivered exceptionally, no doubt accredited to their understanding of the audience and the identity they have crafted for their band.
Xavier of Midnight Diner, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
You can support Midnight Diner on their various social medias:
Instagram - @midnightdiner.official
Youtube - @midnightdinerofficial
Spotify - Midnight Diner
Apple Music - Midnight Diner
Lastly, the final set of the night, the headliner: Mom Weed. Mom Weed is an up-and-coming underground hardcore punk, midwest emo and alternative band with members either currently students at Vic or alumni. This includes Brandon and Porter on guitar and vocals, Tristan on drums, and Jack on bass – yes, the very same Jack who plays bass for No Skies. Mom Weed came into Phoenix Fest riding a big high, pun intended, after playing their biggest show yet earlier in January with popular American indie rock band, Vundabar. Subsequently, the venue was practically buzzing with excitement for their set, and it was absolutely worth it.
Tristan of Mom Weed, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
The band opened with one of their originals, “The Joint Song”, which was perfect for setting the stage and preparing the crowd for exactly what to expect for the rest of the set: they are Mom Weed after all. Their songs tend to feature fast and hard riffs typical of hardcore with some elements of midwest emo, especially in their newest song, “All Crest”. Most of their set was focused on playing their originals, especially fan favourites like “Drinking Song” which helped keep the audience ecstatic.
Brandon of Mom Weed, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
Near the end of the set there was an unfortunate fumble with their cover of “Numb, but I Still Feel It” by Title Fight. Having only one night to learn the lyrics, there was some stumbling over the words. The crowd didn’t seem to mind though; Joel and Elijah of No Skies stepped in to cover them. Of course Mom Weed stayed professional on stage, staying focused on playing the song to the best of their ability despite the hiccup. This moment made this set feel more like a basement or garage set -- and I mean that as one of the highest compliments possible. Those kinds of shows are always the best, the intimacy of it: it’s sweaty and stuffed and hot but you don’t even care. All you care about is the music, your eyes locked onto the stage as your body moves with the sound.
Porter of Mom Weed, photographed by Rose (@budgetarsonist), 2024
Overall, this was easily one of the best sets I’ve heard from Mom Weed, and I’ve been to all but one of their shows. This night Mom Weed lucked out, the mixing was well balanced and you could hear the vocals quite clearly, as this tends to be an area of struggle for the band. Their set was very impressive overall; it definitely takes a special talent to get the remaining crowd at a venue to all collectively headbang and even start a pit at 10 o’clock on a Wednesday evening when they’ve all been there since 6.
You can support Mom Weed on their various social medias:
Instagram - @momweedofficial_
Spotify - Mom Weed
Apple Music - Mom Weed
Bandcamp - Mom Weed!
I’d like to mention that while this show was meant to be school sponsored in order to donate parts of the profit to upgrade Vic’s guitar program, the administration actually never ended up paying for the venue. Instead, the funds raised by this event (that were meant to go into the programs) would go directly back into funding said event. Mati, a Vic student and member of Project 23, organized the entire show and really stepped up to make it amazing despite the administrative shortcomings. This show literally would not have happened without her commitment and hard work.
Phoenix Fest was surely a night to remember: a perfect blend of all kinds of genres all encapsulated in one venue. Just for one night we were able to experience and share it together all while appreciating music and supporting local artists. Once again, a huge shout out to Mati of Project 23 for organizing the show, she knocked it out of the park. Another huge shout out to all the bands who played that night: Stadium 11, No Skies, Synesthesia, Midnight Diner, and Mom Weed. Thank you to The Aviary for hosting this show, and thank you to Rose of Project 23 for photographing the event and providing all the photos featured in this article.
