Checking out Caribou's live show is like attending a seminar on being awesome. For a ticket to the hardly-advertised show Sunday night at the Rivoli, one had to speak the name of the new record to the barman at the Horseshoe (I said it then and I won't say it again). I don't normally participate in rituals, but I try to see any Caribou show in the GTA.

I've never been in a band though I consider myself a keen observer. There are a few comman characteristics of great acts and like a wizard or chess master, Dan Snaith commands them all.

First, release plenty of non-album material. This way fans can waste time pouring over the Internet, trading and generally obsessing over the artist (obscure, half-realized songs are a great way to build mystique). First thing I did at the show was grab the Caribou Tour CD 2007.

Next, songs prior the most recent album should be re-worked. Fans eat up psychedelia or playing with the tempo, evident in new renditions of tracks from Up In Flames and The Milk of Human Kindness. Also, I have never seen a concert with dueling-drummers that scored low. All bands: use two drummers.

To summarize, the show was excellent. A few stand-out tracks from the last tour were omitted but I guess that's progress. If you have half the interest in music you say you do, you will grab a ticket for November 10 at the Opera House.