After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

The Biltmore's green room too small for Toro y Moi

Astronauts, etc. opened on a spacey Monday at the Biltmore

Toro Y Moi at the mic
Toro y Moi is currently touring his new album What For?

First off, Anthony Ferraro deserves some props. The talented singer-keyboardist from Oakland, California plays in Toro y Moi’s touring band as well as leads his own group Astronauts, etc. who are opening for Toro on most of its tour. Plus, the guy has arthritis, which is at the same time sad and inspiring — you’d never be able to tell from his liquid finger movements.

Astronauts, etc. set the wheels in motion with a rhythm section so dialed in they could fit in your pocket. Despite being on their first out-of-town excursion as a band, the musicians oozed polish and poured their seductive 70s dance vibes all over the floor. Ferraro cooed like a softened Michael McDonald over rich synth arrangements and saucy guitar melodies. (Listen to their great tune "I Know".)

Anthony Ferraro of Astronauts, etc.

Astronauts, etc. refers to pretty much anything

With the audience hot n’ ready for some more funky mustard, Toro y Moi set the tone by playing a clip of every millennial psych band’s favourite spoken-word philosopher, Alan Watts. South Carolina’s Chaz Bundick (aka Toro y Moi) slinked onstage between his taller bandmates to a crowd expressing their enthusiasm for the genre-innovating, afro-growing, spectacle-sporting musician.

Aside from introducing himself and saying something about Vancouver, Bundick kept his words only in song for almost the entire evening. Was Bundick being laconic? Was he not having a good day? Whatever the case, the effect was a band rattling off songs from a set list, creating a trailing wash of sound. Also washy was the mix, which drowned out Bundick’s vocals in wailing synths and buzzy bass.

Toro Y Moi band performing

as you can see, the additional bass guitar was beamed down mid-set

“So we have one more song left,” Bundick said, before correcting himself, “Actually, there’s not much of a green room so I’m just gonna play two or three more if that’s chill.” Wow, we’re finally here folks: the age of it’s-an-encore-but-not-really.

Perhaps it was the lukewarm reception of his new record, or maybe just a case of the lundis (en français) but Toro y Moi’s set turned the spread of funky mustard into a mush of light mayo.

Listen/watch Toro y Moi's awesome song/video for "Lily":

photography by Alistair Mellen

Tweet à moi @thatlaba

More in Music

Marcus King Band brings Southern Blues North of the border for the first time

This week Marcus King and his five-piece band played the Commodore Ballroom. It was the first time King had played in Vancouver and fans were ecstatic for his arrival. The venue was packed brimming...

"Voices Appeared" to silent Maid

Orlando Consort sets Dreyer's Saint Joan masterpiece to 15th century scores

Mt. St. Hille's pyroclastic gems

Veda Hille self-celebrates a life well-lived in idiosyncratic solo show "Little Volcano"
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.