Goo Goo Dolls – Collective Soul

August 25, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Photo Gallery

Goo Goo Dolls with Collective Soul – Photo Gallery – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto – August 9, 2016

Posted by Lithium on August 11, 2016

Photos by Andrew Hartl

Collective Soul at The Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto

Goo Goo Dolls at The Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto

Sevendust – Crobot

August 25, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Photo Gallery

Sevendust with Crobot and Red Tide Rising – Opera House, Toronto – August 17, 2016

Posted by Lithium on August 20, 2016

All Photos by Andrew Hartl

Crobot at The Opera House

Red Tide Rising at The Opera House

Sevendust at The Opera House

Blink-182

August 25, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Blink-182 – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre – Toronto – August 21, 2016

By Nicole Ireland
Photos by Andrew Hartl

http://blink182.com

It’s going to be cringe-worthy but I just have to say it, Sunday, August 21 was a day to remember. Blink-182 completely rocked the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre and I’m still coming down from my concert high.

DJ Spider was the first opener, and he pleasantly surprised me. I didn’t know what I’d expect, but I certainly wasn’t expecting him to play mid-2000s pop-punk classics that everyone knew all of the words to. It was a super fun way to start off the evening and it got me pumped up for the bands.

The night’s line-up of bands could not have been better for me. All Time Low makes my inner 15-year-old girl go completely bananas, A Day to Remember is one of my favourite bands, and I firmly believe that the men of Blink-182 are absolute legends. Long story short: this article is full of bias, but at least I acknowledge the bias.

All Time Low is always very consistent. They were high energy and they made a lot of penis jokes, as per usual. While you’d think the jokes would get old, somehow they manage to find the appropriate ratio of onstage banter to actual music playing. Since their set was fairly short, they mostly stuck to playing the big hits that everyone knows. I had absolutely no problem with that because nothing gets better than belting out the lyrics to “Dear Maria, Count Me In” no matter how popular it is.

I don’t have much to say about A Day to Remember other than the fact that they killed it. They always hit the stage with so much intensity and without fail I always leave their set with a very sore neck from head-banging too hard. I thought they were a slightly odd pairing with All Time Low and Blink-182 since they’re definitely on the heavier side of pop punk, but I totally think it worked. All three bands are so energetic that while ADTR’s music was pretty different, their energy levels were on par with the other bands so the momentum just kept building all night.

When Blink finally came on stage the crowd was so loud that if you closed your eyes you would have thought you were at a Justin Bieber concert (I have experienced both, I can confirm this statement). It was unbelievable. I was also very interested to see the range of people that came out to see this band. There were a bunch of teenagers who were likely there for ATL and ADTR, or who are just getting into Blink-182; there were endless amounts of twenty-somethings who discovered Blink just before their teen years when they needed angsty pop-punk the most; and there were people in their 30s and 40s who were longtime fans of the band.

I think they did a fantastic job of playing the classic songs that everyone loves, but also playing a bunch of the new tracks from California. This may be an unpopular opinion because I know that people typically care to see the classics, but I loved hearing the new stuff live. They seemed really exciting to be playing those songs and I was really excited to get to hear them.

The biggest highlight of Blink’s set for me was definitely experiencing “I Miss You” live. That song was an absolute anthem of the mid-2000s and it was the coolest thing to hear it live with a few thousand other people who also have a lot of love for this song. As I said before, I think of Blink as legendary. This was one of the songs that solidified that for me and as this was my first time seeing the band live, it was out of this world.

A very big thank you to Blink-182 for making all of my teenage dreams come true. From the openers to the set list, I had one hell of a nostalgia trip. Fun was had, lyrics were shouted, and everybody still likes me because I’m not 23.

Blink-182 at Te Molson Amphitheatre

Drake

August 7, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Gallery Concert Review

Drake and Future – Air Canada Centre, Toronto – July 31, 2016

Posted by Lithium on August 2, 2016

By Robyn Crosby
Photos by Andrew Hartl

www.drakeofficial.com / www.freebandz.com

This past Sunday, at Drake’s 7^th Annual OVOFest, the crowd was more than amped for Drake and Future as part of the Summer Sixteen Tour. Drake opened the show and proceeded to attack a huge set list of approximately 50 songs, including his smash hits and songs from this year’s release, Views.

Drake promised special guest appearances and he delivered. He brought out, or rather up from the trap door in the stage floor… Rihanna.

She performed “Needed Me” and “Bitch Better Have My Money” before Drake came back and joined her to perform, for the first time ever together, “Too Good”. They also delivered “Work”. Like in other performances the pair wined together; they even shared a cute little moment when Rihanna appeared to mess up a part of a song. “That’s how you know it’s real,” Drake joked. The Barbadian also shared that she was usually in her native home this particular weekend for Carnival, alluding to how special it was that she was in Toronto and not adorning her usual beaded and barely there, Carnival costume.

Firecracker bombs, fireworks and smoke kept the crowd exhilarated during both Drizzy and Future’s sets. Drake had many visual treats as well. During the song “9”, the backdrop featured Toronto’s CN Tower. And at one point, lights from the ceiling came down to create a 6. He also took a tour around the Air Canada Centre on a floating-stage-plexi-glass-gondola.

The decked-out-in-Drake-apparel-crowd (there were regular merch booths as well as Drake’s OVO Store to shop at) was asked if they wanted the short or the long show, and were warned no one should be sitting down or looking tired. Loud shouts and screams ensured the long show was the only show the audience wanted. At about 11:35 Drake joked, “They want me off the stage, but I own the building,” as he teased about his many Raptors and ACC connections.

During Future’s set, Future and his DJ undeniably hyped the crowd. Songs included “Stick Talk” and “Fuck Up Some Commas” and he didn’t hold back when it came to more of the thunderous fireworks. Four dancers also brought heat to the ATL rappers trap music. Later, Drake returned to perform “Big Rings” and “Jumpman” alongside Future. However, absent from the collab was “Where Ya At”. But the autotune rapper did perform “Low Life”, a song recorded with Toronto’s own, The Weeknd.

After, Drake took back the baton to round out the night. Before launching into “Energy”, the Toronto native, took a second to genuinely take it all in. Throughout the night Drizzy had gone on about how much his city meant to him and the pride he felt. “I love you for real,” he said. The show ended with the song “Legend”.

With the exchange of love and appreciation from both the adoring crowd and Drake, he bestowed a message, “Use the hours of the day to protect the ones you love, we don’t want to lose any.” “Get home safe,” he said.

Earlier in the evening, Roy Woods opened the show.

Watch for video documentation to show up somewhere, as there were many cameras throughout the venue, including many shots of the crowd!

Roy Woods at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto

OVO Toronto

Future at The Air Canada Centre

DVSN at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto

Drake at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto

Bryan Adams

August 7, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Gallery Concert Review

Bryan Adams: Get Up Tour – July 26, 2016 – Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto

Posted by Lithium on July 27, 2016

By Natalie Paterson
Photos by Andrew Hartl

http://bryanadams.com/tour

The Molson Canadian Amphitheatre was unsurprisingly packed for an iconic Canadian artist on Tuesday night. It’s hard to believe one man can keep an audience on their feet and singing for nearly 3 hours, but Bryan Adams manages to do this consistently, and tonight was no exception. He was the first musical act to perform at the Amphitheatre on May 18, 1995, and just over 21 years later he’s back. Seeing him so comfortable on that stage adds another layer of awesomeness to his entire performance.

Promoting his 13th album, Get Up, the show featured tracks from his new album including “Do What Ya Gotta Do” and “Go Down Rockin’”. But it wouldn’t be a Bryan Adams concert without the classics, including “Run to You”, “Heaven”, and the ever appropriate “Summer of ’69”.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him in concert, so I knew what to expect. But seeing the range of fans that come out to his shows, young and old, for me always cements what a wonderful performer he is. Bryan Adams is a truly iconic Canadian artist, and just going to one of his shows is explanation enough for his popularity.

The Get Up Tour continues on July 27th in Quebec City at the Videotron Centre and continues across North America, Europe, and the UK through 2017.

Bryan Adams at The Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto

Bryan Adams Setlist

Do What Ya Gotta Do

Can’t Stop This Thing We Started

Don’t Even Try

Run to You

Go Down Rockin’

Heaven

Kids Wanna Rock

It’s Only Love

This Time

You Belong to Me

Summer of ’69

When You’re Gone

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You

On a Day Like Today

If Ya Wanna Be Bad Ya Gotta Be Good

Back to You

We Did It All

Somebody
I’ll Always Be Right There

Please Forgive Me

Cuts Like a Knife

18 til I Die

The Only Thing that Looks Good on Me Is You

Encore

Brand New Day

C’mon Everybody (Eddie Cochrane cover)

All Shook Up (Elvis Presley cover)

She Knows Me

Straight From The Heart

All For Love (Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting cover)

Demi Lovato

August 7, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Gallery Concert Review

Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas: Future Now Tour – Air Canada Centre, Toronto – July 22, 2016

Posted by Lithium on July 25, 2016

By Natalie Paterson
Photos by Andrew Hartl

http://www.demilovato.com/events/

The ACC was lit up with neon lights as Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas brought their Future Now tour to the city where they first met. Fans were lined up well before the show started and honestly, I can’t blame them. These two performers are electric individually on stage, but combining them serves as a true treat for the audience.

Nick and Demi met in Toronto filming “Camp Rock” back in 2007, and they both noted this during their individual sets. Starting things off was Nick Jonas, rocking the stage and bringing a crazy amount of energy to his set with “Levels”, “Champagne Problems” and “Bacon”, complete with a graphic of a sizzling pan of delicious bacon behind him while he sang.

Next up was Demi Lovato, and she was absolute fire. Seriously, this woman knows how to command the stage and bring the audience to their knees, all within a few songs. She started out with “Confident”, “Heart Attack” and “Neon Lights”, calling out to the audience: “You’re beautiful!” Jonas came back out for a few more songs, including joining Lovato for “Stone Cold” and bringing back an old Jonas Brothers song, noting his amazement in having people still sing that song back to him years later. Demi closed the show out with a chills-inducing “Skyscraper”, and turned the ACC into a summer bash with “Cool for the Summer”.

All in all, one hell of a concert and a seriously good time. The tour runs until September 17^th, and the next stop is the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Check this tour out if you can guys, you’ll have an amazing time!

Nick Jonas at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto

Demi Lovato at The Air Canada Centre

Nick Jonas at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto

Demi Lovato at The Air Canada Centre

Demi Lovato at The Air Canada Centre

Nick Jonas Setlist

Levels

Champagne Problems

Touch

Good Thing (Sage the Gemini cover)

The Difference

Bacon

Numb

Chains

Stone Cold (Demi Lovato cover)(with Demi Lovato)

A Little Bit Longer (You Don’t Even Know) (Jonas Brothers cover)

Jealous

Close (with Demi Lovato)

Demi Lovato Setlist

Confident

Heart Attack

Neon Lights

For You

Body Say

Fix a Heart

Nightingale

Warrior

Lionheart

Stone Cold (with Nick Jonas on piano)

Close (Nick Jonas cover)(with Nick Jonas)

Skyscraper

Give Your Heart A Break

Cool for the Summer

Dave Matthews Band

August 7, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Gallery Concert Review

Dave Matthews Band – The Molson Ampitheatre, Toronto – July 19, 2016

Posted by Samantha Wu on July 21, 2016

http://davematthewsband.com

Review by Samantha Wu
Photos by Andrew Hartl

Never in all my years of attending concerts at the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto have I seen it as busy and as crowded as it was when Dave Matthews Band played there earlier this week. Though I showed up at the venue at precisely the right time, the crowd outside the gates was massive as was the line for the box office and will call. As I moved to join the line, I soon realized that it stretched past the Molson Ampitheatre entrance, across the pedestrian bridge and well into the parking lot for the BMO Field across the highway. Needless to say, I knew I would be stuck in this monstrosity of a line for the next foreseeable future and I’d certainly be missing the beginning of the show.

On one hand, it shows the impact Dave Matthews Band has on the rock music industry and on fans proving that the 90s will never truly go away. The people in the crowd ranged all age groups — children, teens, and millennials to baby boomers. From those who remember fondly albums like Crash and Before These Crowded Streets when they were released and had them playing on repeat way back when, to those who are now schooling a younger generation on just how great this music was and still is, everyone was in the audience for this show. If only everyone could just get to their seats on time.

It’s hard to say what caused this amount of chaos and confusion in the first place but from what I heard through the grapevine, it was that this show wasn’t using electronic tickets and all tickets had to be in printed form. The security team was thankfully sympathetic towards the discomfort and concerns of the crowd.

By the time I reached the end of the line and had my ticket in hand, it was already 9:30 pm, an hour had past since Dave Matthews Band had taken the stage and I had officially missed the first half of the show. For that reason, I can’t actually say if the show had started well though a few people in line at the concession stand said Dave Matthews and company played an outstanding set.

Taking a look at their set list, I’m sad that some of my favourite songs including “When the World Ends” and “Break Free” were played at the beginning of the show and therefore I had completely missed them. What I did catch, including “What Would You Say” and “You & Me”, was a lot of fun to watch. The crowd danced and sang along; it was a delight to behold. The joy of a Dave Matthews Band show is how communal the experience is, Dave Matthews himself is a warm and welcoming individual who invites the crowd to relax into the music and put their feet up. Each song performed starts the way everyone remembers on the album and then evolved into an organic jam session where everyone on stage simply let loose and had fun allowing their instruments to speak for themselves.

The crowd loved it and they grooved with it and I wish I could have been able to let go and enjoy myself more. Unfortunately waiting over an hour on my feet standing in the chilly evening air had taken up my reserves and I found myself too cold and enduring much pain and exhaustion to enjoy the rest of the show as much as I could have.

It’s alarming that this kind of situation had to happen that forced hundreds of people to miss a good chunk of the show, despite arriving at the appropriate time.

Dave Matthews Band plays Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto

Set List

One Sweet World
When the World Ends
Seven
The Idea of You
#41
Death on the High Seas
Squirm
You Might Die Trying
Break Free
Lie in Our Graves
So Much to Say
Bob Law
What Would You Say
Samurai Cop
You & Me
Why I Am
Jimi Thing
Sexy M.F. (Prince cover)

Encore

Sister
Pantala Naga Pampa
Rapunzel

Ellie Goulding

August 7, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Gallery Concert Review

Ellie Goulding – Air Canada Centre, Toronto – June 19, 2016

Posted by harltonempire on June 20, 2016

By: Kat Harlton

Photos: Andrew Hartl

http://www.elliegoulding.com

Ellie Goulding brought her Delirium Tour to the Air Canada Centre Sunday night in a shroud of mystery and anticipation. Backed by beautiful kaleidoscopic images, a band, backup singers and a group of dancers, Goulding gyrated, danced, and jumped her way through a set that lasted over an hour.

Being only generally aware of her work, I was surprised and impressed by how fiercely independent both her and her music came across. Performing tracks from throughout her discography, it was Goodness Gracious from Halcyon that really started to fuel the crowd and provide the energy she sought. However, it was follow-up numbers Something In The Way You Move, and Outside (her collaboration with Calvin Harris) that sent the mostly teen crowd into a frenzy. Bringing the energy back down, Goulding then brought out her guitar and gave an acoustic performance of Devotion.

A highlight of the night for me was her performance of Army. A tribute to her best friend, she sang in front of large video backdrops featuring snapshots of them together, which then switched to display the ACC audience and their friends. I thought it was a really great way of incorporating her fans and giving them a moment to remember.

Goulding ended the night in a Raptors/OVO jacket while performing Anything Could Happen and Love Me Like You Do (from the Fifty Shades Of Grey soundtrack) in front of video screens displaying rainbow colored hands shaped in the form of a heart, as confetti rained down from the ceiling.

Goulding brought nothing but love for her craft and for her fans this past Sunday night, and it was just what Toronto needed.

Ellie Goulding at The Air Canada Centre

Bright Lights Big Country

August 7, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Event Reviews

Bright Lights Big Country: A Benefit for Fort McMurray – The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto – June 9, 2016

Posted by Lithium on June 11, 2016

By Marisa Filippo
Photos by Andrew Hartl

Last night was Toronto’s turn to show our Canadian love to all of the victims of the tragic Fort McMurray fire. It was truly a humbling experience to see so many people to come together and support a great cause. KX96 FM put on a fantastic show with a star-studded line-up including Jason Blaine, Cold Creek County, Autumn Hill and more!

As soon as I walked into the venue I just saw a sea of plaid. Almost everybody in The Phoenix was wearing some article of clothing that featured a plaid pattern. I also noticed a lot of cowboy hats in the crowd and brown boots…myself included, of course. One could not simply go to a country show without dressing like a country boy/girl! Along the same theme, there was a lot of foot stomping, hand clapping, “yee-haw’s,” whistling and a can of beer in every hand.

There was a front stage for the acts who wanted a solo appearance – just them and their guitar – and then a main stage behind the curtain. Since there were so many acts, each performed right after the next. As a solo act performed, they were getting the main stage ready for the next act behind the curtain. The show was three hours – each artist performed about three to five songs averaging about fifteen minutes each.

Opening the night for us was Madeline Merlo. Her performance was stripped down with just her and her guitar. It was intimate. Next was James Barker Band who performed their hit “Lawn Chair Lazy” which got the crowd feeling all of those summer vibes. Then Andrew Hyatt graced the stage accompanied by his powerful voice. Tim Hicks truly got the crowd stomping and clapping when he performed his Canadian themed hit “Stronger Beer” clearly claiming that Canada has ‘stronger beer.’ Meghan Patrick was next and she was accompanied by a fiddler and guitar player. Patrick showed off her dominant vocals and closed out with her album title track “Grace & Grit.”

Next on stage was Dani Strong who indeed has a strong voice. She performed her tracks sitting down playing her keyboard, as well as her bandmates were sitting playing their instruments. She definitely gave that calm, chill country vibe. Then appeared Cory Marquardt who got the crowd swaying their arms with his hit “Nowhere With You.” Autumn Hill then got the crowd belting out the lyrics to “Livin’ On A Prayer” – a Bon Jovi cover – which they turned into a country sound.

Jason Blaine mellowed the crowd a little bit when he performed his touching song “Dance With My Daughter” which he dedicated to his two little girls. He also has a little boy and another baby on the way. Wes Mack, the second last act of the night, delivered an outstanding performance, performing with just his guitar and beautiful vocals. The crowd sang back to him all of the songs he performed, which included “Duet” and “The Way You Let Me Down.” Last but not least, Cold Creek County closed out the show performing their hits “Till the Wheels Come Off,” “Our Town” and more. They even did a cover of “My House” by Flo Rida. This energized the crowd even more, raising their drinks and singing along.

It was truly an awe-inspiring night. Each act was so appreciative of the whole experience and thankful for the crowd coming out to the show. No doubt that the proceeds donated from each ticket purchased for this show will most definitely make a difference to the lives affected by the tragic fires in Fort McMurray.

Click on photos to enlarge and scroll through gallery:

Meghan Patrick – Bright Lights Big Country

Madeline Merlo – Bright Lights Big Country-

James Barker Band at Bright Lights Big Country

Tim Hicks – Bright Lights Big Country

Meghan Patrick – Bright Lights Big Country

Meghan Patrick –

Dani Strong – Bright Lights Big Country

Dani Strong – Bright Lights Big Country

Cory Marquardt at Bright Lights Big Country

Bright Lights Big Country – Benefit For Fort McMurray

Autumn Hill at Bright Lights Big Country

Madeline Merlo – Bright Lights Big Country-

CMAO awards

June 2, 2016 / smileandwave / Leave a comment

Event Reviews

CMAO Awards 2016 – Flato Theatre, Markham – May 30, 2016

Posted by Lithium on June 2, 2016

By Robyn Crosby
Photos by Andrew Hartl

http://www.cmaontario.ca/

Known for his hilarity and wit, The Road Hammers’ Jason McCoy didn’t disappoint as host of this year’s Country Music Association of Ontario’s Award show. The 4^th annual celebratory night was full of fun, laughter and, of course, great country music from Ontario.

Accompanied by the CMAO house band, The Western Swing Authority, which hails from Waterloo, Ontario; McCoy sang a song about the show set to the tune of “Hallelujah”. “CMA-O at the Flat-O… Not Scott Bai-O, No, no J.LO. Just CMA-O”. From face swapping to rewriting songs lyrics about himself, the entertainer’s creativity and antics kept the good times rolling throughout the evening’s festivities.

Kicking off the awards portion of the evening, show openers and Brighton area natives, Cold Creek County accepted two back-to-back awards, three in total. If you haven’t had a chance to catch “The Rising Star” Award winning band yet, you can check them out on June 9^th at the Phoenix Concert for a Fort MacMurray Fundraiser.

The night’s other big winner was Jason Blaine, taking home three awards as well. Earlier in the evening, Blaine told Lithium Magazine that his Pembroke, Ontario roots mean a lot to him, which is why he hosts a local golf tournament fundraiser to give back to the community. The 3rd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic raises money for multiple local charities. Later Blaine performed his song, “Dance with My Daughter”.

Other talented performers throughout the ceremony were Genevieve Fisher, Tianna Woods, Runaway Angel, Leah Daniels, River Town Saints, , Jessica Mitchell, Meghan Patrick, Autumn Hill, and The Road Hammers with Tim Hicks.

Toronto’s Jessica Mitchell received loud cheers from the crowd during her powerful performance of the song, “Workin’ on Whiskey”. Mitchell’s impressive performance received a standing ovation from the excited crowd.

Bowmanville’s Meghan Patrick, a firecracker on stage, performed her song “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” and had the Flato Theatre rocking ahost McCoy out of breath after jamming to the catchy tune backstage.

Juno Award winners and Canadian Country Music Hall of Famers, Prairie Oyster, were honoured with the Impact Award for their positive footprint in the Ontario country music scene. Accepting the award from presenters, The Good Brothers.

Overall the show was tight, well produced and entertaining. The night was proof that great talent can be homegrown; cultivated in your own backyard with support from local radio, record labels, managers, musicians, and producers. And, that it’s important to recognize and celebrate with good country friends and family.

Click on photos to enlarge and scroll through gallery:

CMAO at Flato Theatre-Tianna Woods

Tianna Woods – CMAO at Flato Theatre

Runaway Angel – CMAO at Flato Theatre

Jason McCoy – CMAO at Flato Theatre

Cold Creek County at The CMAO – Flato Theatre

Meghan Patrick – CMAO- Flato Theatre

Leah Daniels-CMAO- at Flato Theatre

Jessica Mitchell -CMAO- at Flato Theatre

Earlier in the evening, the awards presentation began as most awards’s shows do, with a Red Carpet event as the artists and band arrived at Flat Theatre. Here is the Red Carpet Photo Gallery. Click to enlarge and scroll through gallery.