Iggy and The Stooges closed out my summer at the Riot Fest in Toronto. Although the band was not the headliner, they absolutely stole the show. We got there early, and sat through many good openers, but I couldn't wait for 7:15 - the time Iggy was set to take the stage. While going through the usual guitar tunings, we were treated to Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" played over the loudspeakers. The perfect album to be played between sets. The suddenly, out comes James Williamson and Mike Watt, blasting the first few notes to "Raw Power." Wait, it's only 7:00 - they are coming out early! Then the 66 year old Iggy comes running out, looking like he has a spring in his step of a 20 year old. Taking no breaks in between songs, the band drives furiously through all of the classics and plenty of new songs. Up and down off the stage, Iggy is full of energy. He pulls people from the crowd to come on stage and dance during "Fun House." Everybody in the audience is trying to get up front so they an touch Iggy. He calmly and coolly accepts that he is there god, before truing around a jumping into a new song. Finally, I get a chance to check out the time, and I realized that not only did the band come out early, they are currently playing past their designated set time! With an agenda, the band keeps pumping out songs, driving the audience into a frenzy. Once they are done, I walk into the back of the crowd, still dripping with sweat, questioning how Iggy can manage to do it.

by: Patrick J