AEROSMITH HEADLINES 2012 FRESHWATER SUZUKI SALMON FESTIVAL IN NEWFOUNDLAND
There are few things in Newfoundland that can add over twenty-thousand people to a town’s population. The Grand Falls-Windsor economy saw an 8 million dollar increase over one week – but how? One word: Aerosmith.
When SRO Entertainment brought KISS to Grand Falls-Windsor in 2011, we thought that was it – highlight of the festivals 28 year history. Damn, weren’t we wrong.
Between striking workers blocking routes and a 20 foot giant sink hole forming on the only road to the festival – it first seemed like the trip would be long, delayed and hardly worth it. We arrived in Grand Falls-Windsor moments before Carly Rae Jepsen hit the stage, after a bit of running around secured our passes and I went onward to shoot the beginning of her set.
The “Call Me Maybe” singer has been the butt of many internet jokes regarding her hit song – people at the festival found themselves asking “Does she have more than one song?” – The answer is yes indeed she does. (Check out her newest withOwlCity- “Good Time”) It’s been a few years since I first caught Carly on tour with Mariana’s Trench at Massey Hall, and her performance and stage presence has really come to life. (Sharing management with Justin Bieber tends to do that.)
Uncle Kracker was the surprise of the evening, of course they broke out the old favorite Follow Me. An upbeat performance scattered with classic covers, it really had you nostalgic and ready for an insanely kick ass performance by Cheap Trick.
However, there was a Flo Rida interlude. A damn good one at that. Around this point, the liquor and beer had been flowing for a little while – the crowd was good and happy – so Flo Rida finished the last half of his set from the crowd. Not just one spot, near the stage – no this guy went across the field, he scaled the beer garden fence, he climbed the VIP section fencing. Unstoppable. Undeniably the best to dance to of the evening, especially during Wild Ones.
Forming 3 years after openers Aerosmith – both bands have spent the last 40 years rocking world wide – making them both rock legends in their own rights. Cheap Trick was the perfect prelude to an historic rock performance. Obvious crowd favorites, that had the entire town singing along were played – “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender.”
Then, the wait. The wait for the moment I had anticipated and prayed for since I was in the second grade and first got my “Get a Grip” cassette tape. The field went dark, the opening video sequence started to play and I felt my heart almost stop, as the opening notes to Toys started. My camera was glued to the stage – and they emerged. Aerosmith. He emerged. The Demon of Screamin’ himself, Steven Tyler.
His outfit was beyond fabulous, his voice ageless – his energy was child like. Joined by Joe Perry on the edge of the cat walk for most of the set, he literally had the entire crowd in the palm of his hands. Aerosmith are professional rock legends, they know exactly what you want, what you need. In the midst of the scarves and colourful jewellery, a beautiful soul fulfilled tens of thousands of people’s childhood and adult dreams. Aerosmith rocked Grand Falls-Windsor,NEWFOUNDLAND like it’s never been rocked before, and likely never will again. I can’t imagine what could even match the calibre of that performance – with the exception of something along the lines of Led Zeppelin.
SEE PHOTOS OF AEROSMITH by Sandra Elford HERE
See photos of Carly Rae Jepsen, Uncle Kracker, Flo Rida and Cheap Trick by Sandra Elford HERE
Category: Photo Updates, Reviews