Live 8 Concert

Live 8 Canada: Toronto review (cont.)

A Wide Array of Musical Talent Hits Live 8 Toronto

African Guitar Summit's set was festive and heartening. Dan and Tom read off the names of the band members. I had not heard form them before, but would surely consider buying their album. I closed my eyes and imagined myself on an island in the South Pacific. A fantastic blend of guitars. I wanted to do the limbo and drink a fufoo drink.

Next up and seemingly out of place was Great Big Sea. The Irish inspired group did their popular track "Donkey Riding". The change up from the Africa Guitar Summit was just weird. I really like Great Big Sea and as usual, they gave their all through their last track "Excursion Around the Bay". My response to their tracks "Oh Me, Oh My".

The Live 8 video monitors lit up with Celine Dion's taped performance contribution from Las Vegas. It seemed like a perfect time to hit the bathroom. The queues outside the Porta Potties have just not gone down. The weight of the beer and water is pushing hard. A good part of the crowd feel the same way as I do and they head for refreshments and or relief. I actually felt a little bad for her set as the crowd began booing and calling out. A little out of the spirit of Live 8, but she is not; how do you say "my cup of tea". Unfortunately, her contribution was only one song, and that was not near long enough for a bathroom break. Besides, is she so busy she couldn't take the small plane ride in from Vegas?

Blue Rodeo handled their three track set pretty well. They are a fun group most of the time, and they did a fine job today - "Ye-haw". They did "Are You Ready" a real long "Heart Like Mine" and "Try".

There's something out of place about having Gordon Lightfoot on such a large stage. I thought for sure that if Celine Dion got such a cold welcome that Gordon Lightfoot would get the same type of reception. Boy was I wrong. He walked out on stage looking a bit fragile and humbled. With acoustic guitar in hand his lyrics and songs lulled the whole place into a quiet. A true performer he handled his timeless ballads with class and elegance. He started his musical interlude with "Restless", and the crowd quietly clapped along and whistled. "If You Could Read My Mind" and "Let it Ride" came next and I was happy to have seen him, and proud that he is Canadian.

Our Lady Peace takes the Live 8 Canada stage and handles Leonard Cohen track "Bird On a Wire" well. They drove the pace up with "Where You Are" and finished up with "Innocent".

There are a couple of shady characters lurking about; selling their counterfeit Live 8 goods. Bootleg Live 8 T-shirts and stickers. Once guy is selling small oval stickers that list individually the Live 8 events. Each sticker lists the Live 8 location with a small flag from the country sporting the event. I am kind of shocked that there are no security personal to stop them Another guy is selling Live 8 shoelaces. The little card that they are attached to says "Lace Poverty History".

Live 8 Canada, Toronto (continue review)

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Live 8 London, UK :: Live 8 Philadelphia, USA :: Live 8 Toronto (Barrie),CA