Cape Breton Island's Dave Sampson performed on the Canadian National Exhibition (a.k.a., The Ex and The CNE) opening for Howard Jones. My photos of Howard Jones' set is here.
This was Dave's first time attending The Ex and, therefore, his first time performing at The Ex. He was supported by guitarist Nichol Robertson for a set of solid, engaging folk tunes.
For fifty years, April Wine has been creating powerful and influential rock tunes. I've been a fan for as long as I can remember, and so many of their tunes remain 5-star favourites in my library. Young bands have taken the band as an influence. Most recently The Dirty Nil, with their solid cover of perhaps my favourite April Wine tune, "Oowatanite". Check it out here.
Singer/guitarist Myles Goodwyn has been there right from the band's beginning, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Brian Greenway joined the band in 1977 and has been there ever since. The band pioneered so many of the foundations of great rock tunes and the three-guitar assault.
If I had to enter one criticism, it's that I really could have done without the bass and drum solos. The band ended up running out of time for their full encore, and if I had to choose, I'd pick hearing that encore tune over the demonstration of bass and drum mastery. Am I right?
I love April Wine's music and loved hearing so many great tunes performed live. If you love the music, you'll love their live performance.
Sarnia, Ontario-based country-tinged classic rock group the Cory James Mitchell Band opened for April Wine on the Bandshell Stage at The Canadian National Exhibition, a.k.a., The Ex and The CNE. My photos of April Wine are right here. Check 'em out.
They played a set of workmanlike classic rock, southern rock and blues tunes, showing off their deep influences.
Summertime is music festival time, and Hillside is one of the coolest, most easy-going, friendliest, and most socially and environmentally conscious festivals I've ever had the pleasure of attending. It always brings a hugely diverse set of performers from different genres, locales and cultures together, yet it somehow manages to deliver a consistent vibe that echoes, "Happy Hillside!"
Please enjoy some photos from around the festival and click the links that go to each individual post on each individual act that we covered this year. Sorry we couldn't see everyone! We tried!
