Wednesday kicked off the beginning of the end: Wavelength 500. Yep. 500 times we’ve been so lucky to witness small bands find their feet walk and their way up the popularity peak that IS Toronto music. Many can recall more than a handful of bands which have graced the many stages where Wavelength has called home: Lullabye Arkestra, Fembots, Jon-Rae & The River, The Russian Futurists, The Arcade Fire, Think About Life, Timber Timbre, Ohbijou, Ninja High School, Tokyo Police Club, Miracle Fortress, and many, many, MANY more.

The night began with jazz ensemble Canaille, followed by well-known Wavelength-ers’ Deep Dark United. Seeing them a time before, coincidentally at the same venue (opening for Akron/Family), it was an unpleasant experience of directionless noise and sounds. Seeing them a second time around, Deep Dark United had sported a somewhat changed sound. Maybe it was the same to begin with. Regardless, it was enjoyable.

Pony Da Look have recently changed their all-female lineup by one person — Drummer Rebecca Mendoza for Drummer Rob Gordon. Still shaking walls and melting stomachs with their hallow medieval sound, Pony Da Look has slightly changed tangets with their sound since bringing Gordon in to take over on drums. How? Louder, more aggressive, probably a little (or, to some, a lot) more well-rounded. The bottom-line is, Amy Bowles is an entertainer. She grabs a hold of you and lets you feel her wrath. It’s a good, GOOD wrath, folks. However, be brave when you allow yourself to be pulled into the pits of Pony Da Look.

Evening Hymns have evolved from the one-piece wonder that was Jonas Bonnetta to a full band of trusted friends and talented musicians. For a sound like what Evening Hymns shares, The Music Gallery was an ideal place to have it reach its ceilings and depths, however deep they might go. It’s great to see Bonnetta with a full band, but the preference has always been to hear him play solo (for specific songs): they are personal and are usually well-told when it’s him being the storyteller. Otherwise, the talk and the love will rise, and rise, and rise some more for this band. Promise.

Bruce Peninsula, another band which suited the confines of The Music Gallery, ended the night in a church with a choir and a congregation. Some photos were taken, but the remainder of the night was meant for putting the camera down and singing along. It’s great to be a part of this bands tremendous live performance: beautiful choir singing, fantastic percussion and powerful lead vocals. Simply put, everyone wants more.

Be sure to check out more Wavelength shows this weekend!!!