Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene | Photo by Audrey Leon

Toronto indie rock super collective Broken Social Scene’s latest Chicago stop set out to prove that sometimes you don’t have to choose between quality and quantity.

“My band will never make it in Vegas,” Broken Social Scene leader Kevin Drew quipped about the slapdash production going on around him. At any one point five to 14 musicians were on stage with Drew and many would run on- and off-stage between songs, changing instruments or waiting for a chance to appear on stage again.

Broken Social Scene started the show with rousing version of “World Sick” off its latest album Forgiveness Rock Record, which was partially recorded in Chicago by Tortoise/Sea and Cake member John McEntire. And McEntire appeared with the band several times, even sitting in on drums opposite drummer Justin Peroff for the opening number.

The usual Broken Social Scene collaborators were in tow: bassist Brendan Canning, guitarist Andrew Whiteman, singer Lisa Lobsinger, guitarist/keyboardist Sam Goldberg, drummer Peroff, and guitarist/trumpeter Charles Spearin all maintained a presence on stage while Drew ran around on stage, switching from guitars in the front to keyboards in the back. Depending on how far away from the stage you were, Drew could have passed for a younger Wayne Coyne with his fitted grey suit and long curly brown hair and mischievous face.

Lisa Lobsinger of Broken Social Scene | Photo by Audrey Leon

While she is not as visible as Lesile Feist or Emily Haines would be on stage, singer Lisa Lobsinger finally appeared comfortable with her new role as lead female counterpart to Drew’s lead vocals. Lobsinger floated on stage during tracks “All to All” and “Anthems of a 17-year-old Girl” in a short, flowing black dress and thick wavy blonde hair framing her face.

The band appeared thrilled to be in Chicago and nowhere was this more evident than the smiles plastered across the faces of Whiteman and Canning as they hopped and jumped around on stage during each song. The only thing that irked Drew was the 11 p.m. curfew that came along with an all ages show. Drew told the crowd they chose to do an all ages show “for the kids.”

With the curfew hanging over their heads the members of Broken Social Scene whipped through 21 songs in its two hour set. At one point the band had absorbed members of its opening act The Sea and Cake, who participated in a rendition of its song “The Colony Room” from the band’s 2000 album Oui.

Another pleasant surprise came in the form of Metric guitarist Jimmy Shaw, who stepped on stage just as the band was about to perform “Sweetest Kill” from the new record. Drew’s “Canadian husband,” as he referred to Shaw, flew in for the Chicago show. Shaw would proceed to join the band in various capacities, including adding to the horn section, throughout the night.

Jimmy Shaw, Sam Goldberg & Charles Spearin | Photo by Audrey Leon

Among new songs from Forgiveness Rock Record, Broken Social Scene’s set included many old favorites such as “KC Accidental” and “Lover’s Spit” from You Forgot It in People, and closing song “Ibi Dreams of Pavement (a Better Day)” from the self-titled album, which Canning told the crowd should now be referred to as “Windsurfing Nation.”

There’s no telling how long Broken Social Scene would have played had it not been for the curfew, but two things are for sure: For Canadians, Broken Social Scene quantity is quality when it comes to recreating songs in a live setting and happiness is getting on stage with friends and making beautiful music.

For more photos from Broken Social Scene’s concert at the Riviera check out Audrey Leon’s Flickr page.

Broken Social Scene’s set list

Word Sick
KC Accidental
7/4 Shoreline
Fire Eye’d Boy
Texico Bitches
All to All
Stars and Sons
Chase Scene
Forced to Love
Sweetest Kill
Cause=Time
Hotel
Arthouse Director
Romance the Grave
Superconnected
Anthems of a Seventeen Year-old Girl
Lover’s Spit
The Colony Room (with The Sea and Cake)
Ungrateful Little Father
Meet me in the Basement
Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)