Concerts cap off great opening day
Whoop-Up Days goes for five days. But I decided to go all out on day one Tuesday and hit everything possible down at Exhibition Park.
The journey began by trying samples at 18 food vendors — yes, 18 samples and not all were sample sizes — during the inaugural Whoop-Up Days Fair Food Challenge. Hey, it’s a tough job. But somebody has to do it.
The winners were clear. Most Creative was Vancouver-based truck Melt Town’s Pulled Pork Mozza Stick Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Yes, you read that correctly. Best Deep Fried was Piggyback Poutinerie’s baconwrapped mac and cheese balls. They had me at bacon. Best Taste was Ogopogo Mini Donuts. Because, of course.
Another high scorer was the deep fried butter chicken wrap. If you watched the CTV Lethbridge News Tuesday, you likely saw anchor Jacquie Scantlebury and I sharing one.
Next up was the event formerly known as the President’s Reception. Current Exhibition Board president Mike Davis told me one of the first things he did in his term was change the name and format. It’s now called the “Kickoff Party.” Works for me, Mike. Well done.
With a full stomach in tow, I then ventured across the grounds for a double bill concert featuring The Trews and Theory of a Deadman. In a special move for Exhibition Park’s 120th anniversary, the show was held at the Grandstand and had a ticket cost.
It was risk taken by the Exhibition Park staff, no question. Would people pay extra money for concerts they’re used to getting for free? Turns out the answer is yes. If you bring the right bands in.
“Hey Lethbridge, how ya doing? asked lead singer Colin MacDonald. “We're The Trews.”
All the Lethbridge concert regulars were there. We know who The Trews are. As Paul Kingsmith says, using a hockey analogy, they “are one of the most consistent second-liners in the game. They never hurt you, bring it game-in, game-out and can sometimes steal a game for you.”
That’s exactly what MacDonald, his brother/guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek and drummer Gavin Maguire did Tuesday night as they shredded through hits such as “Not Ready To Go,” “So She's Leaving,” and “Hope and Ruin.”
After complimenting a wellhydrated man who was dancing like no one was watching, MacDonald led the band into the always moving “Highway of Heroes,” followed by the instantsmile “Can't Stop Laughing.”
“Did you go on any rides today? I'm just making small talk,” MacDonald joked to the crowd before they played a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times” which segued into “Poor Ol’ Broken Hearted Me” and closer “Hold Me In Your Arms.”
During the half-hour break between bands, there was one arrest. Not bad for opening night.
“Thank you for coming out Lethbridge, Alberta,” said Theory of a Deadman lead singer Tyler Connolly early into his band’s set.
He, along with guitarist Dave Brenner, bassist Dean Back (who was celebrating his birthday) and drummer Joey Dandeneau drove for three days to make it here.
They played a number of their top songs — eight top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart (that’s not nothing) — from five previous studio albums, as well as a couple from their new album set for an October release.
“Let's play one of our infamous breakup songs,” Connolly said as an intro to “No Surprise.”
“Drown,” “Lowlife,” and “Hate My Life” followed before an encore of “Santa Monica.” Theory of a Deadman then closed with teases of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Paradise City” as an intro to their megahit “Bad Girlfriend” from 2008’s “Scars and Souvenirs” album.
One night in, and I’d confidently say Whoop-Up Days 2017 is off to a solid start.
Follow @NKuhlHerald on Twitter