June 16 - With Thursday came the rooftop party that XM Verge and programming director Jeff Leake threw on top of Skybar across from Sugar Beach, featuring Australian import Washington and local Canadian rock outfits Dinosaur Bones, Zeus, and Hollerado.

The weather was mostly agreeable, despite a bit of rain while Dinosaur Bones performed their set. Looking very natural in such a setting, the band shone as they rolled through the highlights of their recent album, infectious tracks like "Royalty", "Ice Hotels" and "NYE".





And then, a rooftop party miracle: as the band began to play Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - only the second time they've played it live, they told me - the clouds broke in the sky and the sun came out to stay, the last piece missing for the perfect party.

And then Zeus took the stage, and though they defy description, they're a very unique type of experimental indie rock that incorporates classic and nostalgic flavours into their music, which was just perfect for the occasion.



When Hollerado took the stage, however, the level of excitement at the party swelled by double, equally matched and fed by the energy of the band onstage.

While their music is upbeat, there was nothing as genuine or positive about their performance as their good nature; it was clear the band were as excited about being a part of the show as the audience they were playing for, a common and welcome vibe throughout the festival.



"We had a wicked list of awesome jokes, but I left it in the van," quipped front man Menno Versteeg. Whether or not that was the case is up for debate, as the band were very quick with humour throughout. Their positivity was apparent as they dedicated their latest single "Got To Lose" to host Leake, and invited Dinosaur Bones bassist Branko Scekic onstage to freestyle during their smash single "Americanarama".



When the confetti settled, one fact stood immutably above others - XM Verge have their fingers directly on the pulse of hot music here in Canada, and know how to throw a hell of a party.