"Hello, we're Sunny Day Real Estate, and we're going to play some songs," was the humble stage-front introduction from a band that's been making music for three decades. And, with no fuss and no frills, they did exactly that.
The Seattle-based band, who has gone through the familiar ebbs and flows of breaking up and getting back together, dove right into the greatest hits of their expansive discography, beginning with "Pillars" and sending the crowd into a tizzy. The second the first musical interlude came, the audience at Danforth Music Hall on Wednesday night used it to cheer in excitement, roaring with gratitude and nodding their heads to the beat. Two or three songs in, a man in the back of the venue turned to his friend to express his feeling: "What a set list," he breathed into his friend's ear — it only took him about 20 minutes to be sold on what he was taking in.
The journey through the decades of music went slightly out of order, but it didn't take long to get to the band's debut work, released in 1994. "About 30 years ago, we recorded an album called Diary. And yes, that does date us a little bit, but this next song is the first song we ever wrote for that record," frontman Jeremy Enigk said. "It's called 'Songs About an Angel.'"
The band crafted a perfect mix of ballads and drum-heavy emo tunes, plucking from each of their albums and satisfying the audience with every selection. At some points, when the drums hit and the prolonged "oohs and aahs" hit even harder, fans would drive their fists into the air in happiness, and one even jumped around and hit the overhang, vibing off the energy and taking in the drum beat that literally made the back walls shake. "Cheers to all of you," Enigk said, in typical rock and roll fashion, offering his stage beer to the crowd before launching into the music again.
"Thank you so much for helping create this life for us," Enigk said, acknowledging the grown-up emo kids that have given his music enduring power for three decades. "Every time we come to Canada, I never want to leave again," he continued. "This one's for you."
The encore was longer than typical, lasting four songs including the six-minute track "Faces in Disguise," which was followed by "In Circles." Before the last song, "Days Were Golden," a member of the crowd yelled a pitchy rendition of the lyrics, and Enigk giggled, "Yeah, that's the one" before beginning the song.
The band used "Days Were Golden" to thank their audience and individually walk off the stage until the drums, bass and vocals were the only instruments left. Every time someone walked away, the crowd erupted before settling into the newly understated song. Enigk was the first of the final three to walk off followed by bassist Chris Jordan, leaving only drummer William Goldsmith on stage, his instrument reverberating through the crowd like a heartbeat.
It was a powerful moment, a charge of energy and appreciation rushing through the crowd. And then, as quickly as their reunion tour came, they were gone, as William too faded away behind the stage's spotlights. The crowd's cheers lasted just a few seconds longer before they, too, disappeared into the night.
The Seattle-based band, who has gone through the familiar ebbs and flows of breaking up and getting back together, dove right into the greatest hits of their expansive discography, beginning with "Pillars" and sending the crowd into a tizzy. The second the first musical interlude came, the audience at Danforth Music Hall on Wednesday night used it to cheer in excitement, roaring with gratitude and nodding their heads to the beat. Two or three songs in, a man in the back of the venue turned to his friend to express his feeling: "What a set list," he breathed into his friend's ear — it only took him about 20 minutes to be sold on what he was taking in.
The journey through the decades of music went slightly out of order, but it didn't take long to get to the band's debut work, released in 1994. "About 30 years ago, we recorded an album called Diary. And yes, that does date us a little bit, but this next song is the first song we ever wrote for that record," frontman Jeremy Enigk said. "It's called 'Songs About an Angel.'"
The band crafted a perfect mix of ballads and drum-heavy emo tunes, plucking from each of their albums and satisfying the audience with every selection. At some points, when the drums hit and the prolonged "oohs and aahs" hit even harder, fans would drive their fists into the air in happiness, and one even jumped around and hit the overhang, vibing off the energy and taking in the drum beat that literally made the back walls shake. "Cheers to all of you," Enigk said, in typical rock and roll fashion, offering his stage beer to the crowd before launching into the music again.
"Thank you so much for helping create this life for us," Enigk said, acknowledging the grown-up emo kids that have given his music enduring power for three decades. "Every time we come to Canada, I never want to leave again," he continued. "This one's for you."
The encore was longer than typical, lasting four songs including the six-minute track "Faces in Disguise," which was followed by "In Circles." Before the last song, "Days Were Golden," a member of the crowd yelled a pitchy rendition of the lyrics, and Enigk giggled, "Yeah, that's the one" before beginning the song.
The band used "Days Were Golden" to thank their audience and individually walk off the stage until the drums, bass and vocals were the only instruments left. Every time someone walked away, the crowd erupted before settling into the newly understated song. Enigk was the first of the final three to walk off followed by bassist Chris Jordan, leaving only drummer William Goldsmith on stage, his instrument reverberating through the crowd like a heartbeat.
It was a powerful moment, a charge of energy and appreciation rushing through the crowd. And then, as quickly as their reunion tour came, they were gone, as William too faded away behind the stage's spotlights. The crowd's cheers lasted just a few seconds longer before they, too, disappeared into the night.