The weekend started off on a high note as Guelph's most recent Federal Green Party candidate Mike Nagy handed my freshly refilled water bottle to me just before I headed to the Island stage for a workshop to open the festival entitled "Let's Get this Party Started." Ambre McLean lead the first track as members of Rock Plaza Central, Dancehall Free For All and.. a bunch of others joined in. The RPC song featured some triumphant trumpet while others held down the ukulele, sax, banjo, violin and guitars. Ambre played the piano a little later on as the mixed-bag of performers attempted to find their flow. The final track saw Kristin Sweetland singing a silly children's song in French, bringing her unique flair to the performance.
Not feeling that the party was fully started I checked in at the official festival opening only to find a similar aboriginal introduction to years past. Skipping further along I caught a moment of Acoustically Yours at the Lake Stage featuring David Francey amongst others, as well as a nice song from Melissa McClelland.
Donovan Woods was a pleasant surprise on the Main Stage with just his acoustic guitar. Attempting to make his songs relatable he made introductions that included some of the most random and precise themes available. His stage presence was natural and somehow had him wondering "Where is Bryan Adams right now?"
On the Lake Stage was the light reggae of Kae Sun who also had enviable stage presence with his clear, storytelling flow. Joined by a guitar, bass, drums, piano plus Kae sometimes on acoustic guitar they ran through a few songs including Living in the City. When using words his messages were positive and when not using words his voice became an instrument.
The couple minutes I spent in front of Xavier Rudd do not allow me to note much about the performance. I did however lament his rumbling didgeridoo while Coeur de Pirate attempted some of her more frail songs.
Same goes for Loreena McKennitt who I passed by and actually recognized the song that her and her band totaling nine was playing. Sounded nice though I was at the back, and basically all I got out of it was being late for USS.
Birthday Boys looked like they coulda been straight outta a '60's diner with their leather jackets and tight black jeans. The four-piece rock group employed up to three singers at a time, alternating at others. Playing to a less than full Island tent they had crashing drums and loud guitars harkening back to classic rock sounds. In finale they played Making Room for Grace and it was a solid choice.
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