Live 8 Concert

Live 8 Canada: Toronto (Barrie) review (cont.)

Dan Aykroyd and Tome Green Introduce Live 8

Luckily, Tom Cochrane soon hits the stage to get the party started at about 11:00 am. The crowd is relieved that the two jesters have left the Live 8 stage. Just prior to starting his set, Tom Cochrane gives the crowd a brief overview of why Live 8 and what it hope to accomplish. There is a sense of pride among the crowd knowing that we may actually be part of musical history. Tom spoke of Prime Minister Paul Martin "He's a good prime minister - but history will tell if he is a great prime minister." Tom kicks the concert into gear with a feisty version of "Life Is a Highway." He follows up with "No Regrets"

Next up on stage, Sam Roberts covers a track off with his single "Brother Down." Roberts, ordinarily a flailing performer, seems modest today, and comes across as contemplative. A good solid set that includes "Bridge to Nowhere" and "Hard Road".

The Live 8 Toronto crowd is getting into the event now, and Bryan Adams hits the stage. I have always like Bryan. He is a proud Canadian and always seems to be there to promote Canada in music and has some great songs. I wonder how it feels for him to be here at Live 8. Just 20 years ago he was at the Live Aid Philadelphia event, and just prior to that he was there with Neil Yong, Getty Lee, Gordon Lightfoot and others for Canada's contribution of the song and video called Tears Are Not Enough. I know that this track wasn't that big back in 1985, but it was Canada's little way of saying that they realize that there is trouble in Africa and they wanted to help out.

Bryan was quick to note "Today we are part of the biggest rock concert in history," Adams told the crowd. "We're seeing people power. I believe in that." He covered four songs at Live 8 Canada. "Back to You", "This Side of Paradise", an acoustic version of "All For Love", and finished up with "Open Road". I was hoping that he would have done "Summer of 69" like he did back at Live Aid, but it was nice to hear from him.

The two fools are back doing their Tom and Dan show from Live 8 Barrie. I am a little sad to think that they are out representing to the world Canada. If this concert does come out on DVD, I hope that they cut those guys out. They are embarrassing. In their own foolish way, they introduce the next act. Dobacaracol and K'naan. Dobacaracol an act from Quebec offers up to the world a hard-hitting African percussion infused with festive group vocals. They are the most enthusiastic group so far. I am not sure if it's the heat, but the crowd is not as responsive as I had expected. They are followed with K'nann. K'naan might well be the best musical envoy in the lineup so far. He is: a Toronto rapper originally from Somalia. He is virtually unknown, but he was able to get the crowd on their feet waiving their arms. He covered his song titled "Soobax". It is too bad that the song was only about 4 minutes.

It is a good thing that K'nann were able to get people up on their feet because Simple Plan was scheduled next for Live 8 Toronto and K'nann did a nice job of energizing the crowd. Simple Plan bounced their away through four of their hit tracks "Shut Up" "Jump"' "Addicted" and ending with "Welcome To My Life".

Live 8 Canada, Toronto (continue review)

See all Live 8 Concert reiews:
Live 8 London, UK :: Live 8 Philadelphia, USA :: Live 8 Toronto (Barrie),CA