photos courtesy: Kelly McElwain
I’d like to introduce you to my future ex-wife. Her name is Amanda Blank. World, meet Amanda. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Toronto’s finest Peaches for introducing us. What’s that? You haven’t met Amanda Blank before? Well, I must introduce you, as she is absolutely fabulous.
My evening started off with a tetra of white wine. Only the finest for myself! As me and my photographer scurried off to the venue, we entered to find the amazing sounds of Blank’s backup band consisting of two deejay setups and a live drummer. It made for bass heavy sounds & beautiful acoustics. They were kicking it old school before Blank decided to stroll onstage, going through some amazing 80s tunes and really juicing up the crowd. For 8:45pm, it was a pretty packed house – let me tell you. Then around 9PM, I thought a ghetto fabulous homeless person strolled on stage, wearing this sparkly chic hooded robe. But then it occurred to me – this isn’t a crack head – this is Amanda Blank! And yes folks, she is looking fierce.
Performing with an attitude that’s enticing and real, Blank draws you in and spits you out and leaves you wanting more. She’s a no bullshit kind of gal. Spitting tracks off her debut album, I Love You, like ‘Shame on Me’ and ‘Might Like You Better’ – her booty shake and raunchy façade make this girl one hot performer. With her perfect mixture of electro beats and hip hop flare, she was the obvious and perfect opener for Peaches.
Speaking of Peaches, the lady of the night, she was just about to come on. And obviously, she couldn’t let Miss Amanda Blank steal the show with the homeless chic outfit. So with rumors that Ma & Pa Peaches were in the building, I found my place in the audience to set up shop for the show and away we went. The lights with dim & four creatures with a ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ theme to the stage. Once the house lights came up, we came to find out that that was indeed Peaches & her house band in the massive monster suit as they launched into a three-song assault of ‘Mud’, ‘Why Don’t You Talk to Me’ and ‘Billionaire’. Her backup dancers looked like the dudes from Twisted Sister. And seriously, I don’t think Toronto could have gotten any more hyped for Peaches. She was crowd surfing. Launching into older tracks from Teaches of Peaches. Basically, this was the homecoming show that Toronto had been waiting for. The sex was pouring out of that room. And thank god for Peaches & Amanda Blank because I think everyone in Toronto got the release they were looking for.
