Live: The Constantines (w/ Jon-Rae & the River and Shotgun & Jaybird) LEE'S PALACE - MAR. 30 Music is fun. If a crowd is genuinely enjoying a show, the music has the opportunity to be transformed into something alive, something fun. On Friday March 30, 2007, Lee's Palace was packed and the music of the Constantines, Jon-Rae & The River and Shotgun & Jaybird was a whole lot of fun. The doors open at 9:00 and Shotgun & Jaybird are onstage by 9:15. There's little time wasted in getting things started. The band takes the stage with energy and sets the right vibe, vaulting into their set with an interesting blend of garage, blues and rock 'n' roll, turning the first song into a jam session. They set the bar high, blasting through a full song list of fused rock 'n' roll. The confidence of the band is very apparent, rubbing off on the crowd that is growing at a steady pace the entire time they are playing. By the time Jon-Rae & The River play, the audience gives the band its undivided attention. Jon-Rae & The River, six very talented musicians, hammer home the Country-ish first couple of songs. The female vocal, nicely counter-balanced by the male lead, is coupled with the electric twang of country rock by a guitar slide, brought out on a few occasions. The sounds heard help maintain the steady stream of patrons and the positive response. Throughout their set, Jon-Rae & The River explore the soulful and honest. They might even be compared to Rock Plaza Central, with a few more beers added to the music for good measure. For a brief period of time Lee's Palace seems transformed into a large barn with a stage planted in the middle. Throw in a very receptive crowd, and you've got yourself a pretty good party. Enter The Constantines. The Constantines, hailing from Guelph, take the stage around midnight. At this point, the club is packed and the vibe is strong and agreeable. Their opening track, "Workin' Full-Time," maintains the energy of the crowd. The music rips onward into the set, with a distinct garage-ish, bluesy, fusion alt-rock undertone shining through the sometimes generic rhythms. The four-piece has everyone clapping to the beat for most of the night. Musically, the sound is a catchy blend of agreeable vocal breaks, harmonies and a good-sounding product. The songs drift between the garage and the ranch, and it works very well. Guelph has definitely worked itself into The Constantines' sound. The tightness of the music is a pleasant surprise. The band knows each other and their music very well. They've got it down to a science, and have fun on stage. During the second half of their set, the jam-session vibe returns as songs turn into mash-ups accompanied by vocals that come up right alongside. After a solid 90 minutes the encore, featuring a rendition of AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" sung by The Constantines, members of both openers and members of the audience, was the perfect cap for the night. The vibe was great. The Constantines brought their sound to Lee's — and to one girl in the crowd for the 11th time. That's just plain admirable. The music was perfect for the crowd who heard exactly what they came to hear. Oh, and they had fun too. Lots.