Last Wednesday night, I dragged my cough-syrup-fueled body over to Neumos in hopes for an early set from Toronto-based dark electro outfit, TR/ST. I was in the midst of battling Fall Death Flu 2014, but with doors opening at 7pm, I figured I could call it an early night. The band’s eponymous 2012 debut is one of my favorite records from the past five years, and I’m absolutely entranced by singer Robert Alfons’ eerie wail and gravity-defying hair.

The band, much to my personal dismay, didn’t play until after 10pm, so I only ended up staying for about half of their set, but what I saw was really strong. The songs from this year’s new record, Joyland, blended easily with the older material, which I was a little surprised by since I find Joyland to have a much brighter feel overall than TRST. Alfons, draped in a simple cotton sheath maxi dress set the stage aflame with his erratic, frenzied dance moves and displayed an enviable vocal range as he easily drifted between a deep, gravelly bass to a pinched and throaty tenor. The crowd was ravenous for a blustery Wednesday night, and TR/ST seemed to be giving them everything they were looking for. The instrumentals were on point and driving, fueling the pounding dance floor of the packed house. I slipped out the side door by the stage when I got too hot to deal, but left impressed by the show and wishing I was in better condition to enjoy it.

More photos after the jump.