The Kills

Danforth Music Hall, Toronto ON, December 11

Photo: Carrie Musgrave

BY Melody LauPublished Dec 12, 2013

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It's been two and a half years since the Kills released their electrifying fourth album, Blood Pressures, and naturally, in this Internet-paced era, fans are growing a bit restless for some new music. Even though the duo have confirmed that they are currently in the early stages of recording a new record, they've decided to perform a small string of shows surrounding their opening gig for Queens of the Stone Age in Brooklyn. For those who enjoy the Kills live, last night's show at the Danforth Music Hall was an unexpected treat, but those hoping to get an exclusive preview of their work-in-progress were sorely disappointed.

Performing a setlist that looked a lot like a photocopy of their 2011 tour, the Kills kept a tight lid on any material they may be conjuring up in the studio and instead gave us a repeat performance, which, given the Kills' dynamic live standards, was still an entertaining time for everyone.

There's been an apparent upgrade in stage sizes since the band burst onto the scene in 2003, but their now theatre-sized space has become a slight hindrance to Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart's chemistry. Where fans once felt almost intrusive watching the two share a mic like a kiss, the two were several feet away from each other, almost circling in their own universes.

Both still possess an undeniable charm and ooze a sense of cool that most can only attempt to replicate with unwashed hair and a pair of shades, but the distance between the two, as well as the two additional drummers who awkwardly stand as pillars on the side, have cooled off the intensity onstage and have ultimately lost a bit of the magic. Let's just hope these aren't the actual last days of magic and that the duo just need a bit of recharging in the studio.

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