Recording: The Highest Order

Artist: The Highest Order

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Artscape Daniels Spectrum (Venus Fest), September 30, 2017.

The Highest Order - unknown

The idea of a "feminist music festival" might bring to mind an earnest folkie gathering, maybe off in a forest somewhere, but this first annual event was nothing like that, using inclusive and intersectional ideals as guideposts to programming a day of wide-ranging musics. The brainchild of local musician Aerin Fogel, Venus Fest was an ambitious undertaking, presenting a dozen performances in Daniels Spectrum's spacious multi-purpose Regent Park digs. And it all came together quite wonderfully, highlighting a diverse slate of mostly local musicians and incorporating flourishes like Vanessa Rieger's live-mixed visuals. With this first festival completed, there's a new "sessions" series starting up, and lots of energy to build on the positive vibes this day released.

The Highest Order came to this set with Kyle Connolly sitting in on bass and a keen appreciation of how a "festival set" should work — keeping things short and snappy, as well as hyping up the crowd with a free t-shirt contest. And meanwhile, without being didactic, vocalist/guitarist Simone Schmidt worked to raise some awareness with her words and songs — all along with the band's cosmic roots grooves.

[The Highest Order will be playing alongside S.H.I.T. and Ansley Simpson at a fundraiser for the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society on Sunday night (November 5th) at The Baby G.]

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!