CMW 2011: Rouge @ The Gladstone Hotel by Cody McGraw

WEDNESDAY - There were a lot of balls on stage at The Gladstone on the first night of CMW, however, they all belonged to women. The three gorgeous women of Rouge kicked the shit out of their set and showed the soaking wet audience what it takes to be a buzz band in Toronto and who the real highlight of their evening would be.

Infectious, intoxicating and utterly sexual, the girls hammered through their set with sexual intensity and raw power. Dripping with sweat and energy they were like an unexpected kiss in the rain or a deep, drunken embrace of amazingness. The crowd will not soon forget their ballsy rock nor will they forget their Pat Benatar meets Peaches stage confidence and Annie Lennox caliber songwriting.

Rouge is one of the best kept secrets in Toronto and will only get better from here. Mark my words; this time next year this will be the band on everyone’s must see list.

Photos: Carmen Cheung

Cody McGraw is many things but the thing you can actually call him to his face is the Managing Editor of The Little Red Umbrella. See more posts from him here or follow him on Twitter (@cody_mcgraw).

Carmen Cheung is a Toronto-based freelance photographer and the former Photo Editor of SoundProof Magazine. You can find more of her work on her website here and follow her on Twitter (@carmencheung).