Thun/der/heist: The act of stealing another's thunder; to trump another with something far more superior.

Front woman Isis and DJ Graham Zilla, better known as Thunderheist, spun a web of booty shaking hip hop and chest pumping electro above a sweaty pit of dancing hipster kids at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Thurs Apr 30.

The venue has never been my favourite, and they definitely have some temperature regulation problems, but Isis, decked out in her sequined mini-dress and equally vibrant shoes helped us ignore the sweat trickling down our noses. I knew the music going into the evening, but I didn't know it well. To say I would have bought a ticket without pressure from a good friend would be a total lie. Really, I wasn't expecting too much.

While I was checking my coat and umbrella, it was an especially moody night; I saw a flash of sequins as Isis ran down the hall before she hit the stage. Totally unfazed by the swarms of fans, and sans-body guard or large male figure, she flitted and flirted her way in and out of groping hands. A very...flamboyant...young man stopped her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "so...when do you want to get together and party!" to which she smoothly responded with a hand on the arm and, "let's talk about it after the show...I have to be on stage in a minute." I saw her disappear backstage as the young man gushed about his celebrity encounter.

I was starting to feel better about Thunderheist. Isis seemed very...real. Not a back-door smoking, "I need a plate of goat cheese brie and cold Stellas in my change room" kind of singer/musician. I like it when people don't let their pseudo-fame get into their little heads. I checked my coat and made my way to waiting friends.

The show started with two well-clad dancers bobbing and bouncing onto the stage to pump up the audience. I agreed with my friend that every concert needs more choreographed dancers, and I stand by that. It all started well. Isis was friendly, she was candid and cute, and Zilla was cordial and obviously adores his partner in tunes.

Isis forgot lyrics and rambled on in mini-tirades but we didn't care at all. We were watching a real girl on stage. I was eating it up. At one point she yelled for the lights to be turned off and for Zilla to stop spinning because she had entirely lost her place in a song. She giggled her way back on track and we were with her all the way. Isis continued to dominate a very large and very empty stage. During her second to last song, 'Jerk It', she brought half the audience up on stage and we all took part in revelry and dancing.

The show wound down and all us sweaty patrons herded out of the building into the drizzly street. Toronto provides us with a plethora of musical talent and I'm glad I was able to support (and fully enjoy) one such act that night. For some good dance tracks with a punch of hip hop, check out Thunderheist, and if you don't drop it to 'Jerk It', you're dead inside.

By Kendel Doyle

Comments (1)

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excellent review. I am also one who enjoys a very candid performer and Isis seems to be able to keep it real more than many others.

hope there are more reviews to come.

Stephen Nesbitt , May 08, 2009

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