SeanFromCanada's Blog

I heard somewhere that the Calgary Stampede is Canada’s largest music festival.  I never looked at it that way, but I can see why.  For the better part of two weeks, bands play virtual every music venue in the city from early morning until well past night fall.  For me, by the time the Stampede was officially 1 day into the 2012 campaign, (i.e. Saturday morning), I’d already seen five good music shows.

I was out on Wednesday night (July 4^th) at the Barclay Street Real Estate party.  Fun band called Cowpuncher played.  Loved the standing base and the high energy tunes.  They had the party stomping their feet, tapping their drinks and generally grooving to the music.  A party can’t be good without good music – and this was a good party.

Fortune smiled on me on Thursday (July 5^th) when a friend was given a couple tickets to the Budweiser Blind Date event at Nashville North.  No one knew what band was going to show up to play at 9:00 pm.  Before that, a really strong player in his own right, Shane Chisholm, warmed up the absolutely packed tent.  Great performance and lots of good two stepping going on….and then the Arkells showed up.  One of our many great Canadian alternative rock bands, this Hamilton group won the crowd over quickly with their high energy and solid musical ability.  To watch them play, you knew they were talented musicians (vs. simply a ‘flash band’ with a few catchy tunes).  It was a great show, (even for the guests hoping U2 was going to show up).

Friday, after watching the chucks, I went over to the Coke Stage to see Our Lady Peace.  What a fantastic show!  Raine Maida, (lead singer), was in complete control of the crowd – his voice and stage presence touring the diverse crowd through the show.  Starseed was played during the encore, and it was uplifting and memorable… the lead up alone built the crowd into a frenzy.  Mosh pit, crowd only singing and fans of all ages rocking out…it was a great show!  Hard to believe it was a free concert – fans across the country will be jealous.

As Our Lady Peace ended, I saw there was still time to make the end of the grandstand show.  I’m glad I worked my way back through the massive Friday night crowd.  Paul Brandt has sincerely committed himself to this year’s Stampede.  He’s playing every night in the Grandstand show and he even did a private concert for all the Stampede volunteers.  He’s a real pro and his musical passion (combined with the unbelievable fireworks display and dozens of talented Young Canadians) closed the show with a ton of energy and emotion.  It was uplifting, fun and connecting.  What a great end of the first official day of Stampede!

And now the work week begins – and there’s plenty more music to come!