All good things have to come to an end.

Wavelength was a good, good thing.

Sunday night marked the final weekly Wavelength performance, and what a way to go out.

Unfortunaly I had missed the first two bands (I wanted to see BOARS). My night began with Mean Red Spiders who played a mix of Shoegaze and Distortion Rock, which I couldn’t get into. Three songs had me going for a walk. Right after them were the heavily-desired The Barcelona Pavillion (yes, DESIRED). The return of Steve Kado sent many hearts-a-throbing. His screams and angry-looking, but entertaining looks, were reminiscent of the time when he was known as The Blankket, performing Bruce Springsteen covers to homemade beats. Nostalgic? Very much so. The BP got a mosh-pit going successfully. They were victorious.

Kids On TV took over, sporting costumes, uniforms and anything having to do with Valentine’s Day. At first, it took a while for the crowd to get into dancing. By the time ‘Breakdance Hunx’ kicked in, the whole crowd was into it. “YOU THINK SO?” “I KNOW SO!” Any time I see Kids on TV, I look forward to this track, and the ensuing mayhem.

THOMAS was one of the extended performers of the evening. Thom Gill (aka. THOMAS) is, as Kevin Parnell put it “one of most inventive guitarists in the city.” His composition is very unique and is not of something I can really compare it to. There are some “White Soul” elements about it. All I can say is that his debut record, entitled ‘Self Help’, is densely layered and requires patient listens. The result? Something new and innovative. It’s good, good stuff, people.

Owen Pallett played a small, but stunning set for the late-staying crowd. I’ve seen Pallett play many times, but this was clearly his best performance from all the times that I’ve seen him. His new record is a masterpiece and it sounds like floating on air when performed live, despite only having two people on stage to emulate the beauty that is ‘Heartland.’

The Hidden Cameras came out at 3am and played a one-song set with the majority of the original band from the early 2000’s. Joel Gibb lead the Cameras in ‘I Believe in the Good Life’. Assisting on stage was Kevin Drew. Was he a Hidden Camera? Eh.

Overall, it was a wonderful night and a great surprise to see so many of the people who helped make Wavelength what it was over the years. Wavelength wasn’t just any music series. It was responsible for the growth of many artists and bands who are now far out of our reach, but, as demonstrated by The Constantines, Owen Pallett and The Hidden Cameras, they have not forgotten about their roots. This gave me the best feeling.

Thank you to Jonny Dovercourt, Duncan “Doc” Pickles, Kevin Parnell, Ryan McLaren, Steve “Shoe” Heyerdahl, and everyone else who made Sunday nights bearable.

Wavelength 500 continued into its 4th night with The Constantines, Rockets Red Glare, Donné Roberts, Picastro & Danger Bay.

Getting a tad personal, I was looking forward to seeing Rockets Red Glare and The Constantines (okay, maybe I’m speaking for a lot of people). However, the other acts were entertaining. Danger Bay are always a fun kick-back to punk metal, Picastro were droany and somewhat subdued, and Donné Roberts played guitar as if he were playing on air (also, amazing bassist).

Rockets Red Glare didn’t take long to set up: a guitar, a bass and drums. Their set was rather reminiscent of their early 2000 times. It felt odd that I didn’t feel the excitement that I was expecting to explode with during their set. However, when the encore kicked in, they played ‘Halifax’ and made me drop my camera with happiness (note: camera did not hit the ground). This is exactly what it had reminded me of: click to watch video. The set was a reunion set. It had brought back old memories of old Mississauga shows in Masonic Lodge basements. So, thank you for that.

The Constantines decided to play their entire debut record for the crowd, which was probably the nicest, most thoughtful thing they could. The band clearly displayed their love and respect for their roots and the Wavelength scene by performing the way they did. The encore lasted as long as the original set. I was tired and ready to call it a night, but I couldn’t leave something I probably wouldn’t see again.

One more night: The Garrison.

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!!!