It might not be that original to come back from a three-day Phish festival in Palm Springs and write about how the best thing to do with your free time is to go listen to live music. But right now, in this moment, I’m convinced that truly gorgeous live music has a unique power to heal the weary, work-a-day, 9 a.m.-to-9 p.m. blues of the lawyering life.
My obsession with music actually kept me in law school. I met the lawyer for local band Stars and almost died of joy over the idea that something called “music law” even existed, which kept me going through semesters so soul-sucking that I might have quit if I hadn’t had the lovely idea of marrying music with law to propel me forward.
But it’s my newfound admiration for the iconic jam band Phish and their ability to transport me to another planet through their deft fingers and oneness with their instruments that might just keep me balanced enough to keep pushing on in this profession. I just came back from Festival 8 (otherwise known as F8), where I saw eight sets by Phish over three days, surrounded by glowing palm trees, perfect weather, hippies, music aficionados, Phisheads and music channeled from some other place. Trey Anastasio and the boys are beyond talented (they should invent another word for musicians like these and the sedative-like effect they can have on stressed-out lawyers who jump on planes to fly 3,000 miles to see them).
By the time the third set of the festival hit on Halloween night and Phish covered the Rolling Stones album Exile on Main Street, I was as mellow as…well…a sedated fish sunning itself on a beach. Once swiftly rising star Sharon Jones and her goosebump-inducing gospel voice busted on stage to help Phish out with the Stones song “Shine a Light,” I was beyond mellow. After lyrics like “may the good lord shine a light on you / let every song you sing be your favourite tune,” I was ready to come home to Toronto and sing any old legal tune that was thrown my way.
In honour of F8, I’ve scoured the music listings for some last minute Toronto concert options. Here’s to hoping it’s your fate to fold up into some soul-satisfying musical notes this weekend and let them cradle you into relaxation.
Friday:
- Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin @ Roy Thomson Hall at 8
- Canadian electro-poppy favourites Junior Boys with Woodhands @ Lee’s Palace at 10:30
Saturday:
- The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach brings his ‘70s style rock @ The Phoenix at 5:30
- Unsung indie heroes and ultra-originals The Fiery Furnaces @ El Mocambo at 8
Sunday:
- Enjoy a leisurely brunch followed by the classical music of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for dessert @ Roy Thomson Hall at 3
Leanne is an associate at Heenan Blaikie LLP. She spends her free time indulging in art, film, music and literature and swears that culture tastes better than chocolate. Her column will appear every Friday here on lawandstyle.ca.
Photo of Phish at F8 by John White