Illustration by Jillian Tamaki
More Live 8 coverage from CBC.ca
Neil Young, The Tragically Hip, Gordon Lightfoot and
a wide array of northern music icons
made their way to Barrie, Ontario,
for the Canadian incarnation of Live
8. CBC.ca writer Andre Mayer was at
the concert, weighing in during the
day with his take on this Canadian
mix of pop and politics.
July 2, 2005 - 8:49 p.m. EDT
“O Canada” generally
opens events, but it proved an uplifting
closer tonight. Though I can't be entirely
sure that DMC got all the words right.
Normally, after seeing a day's worth of music, it would be incumbent on the critic to pick a highlight. I'm not sure I can. There were some fine musical moments - Lightfoot, alone and unadorned, K'naan, Aykroyd teaming with the Hip - but the best part was the sense of purpose. These artists, disparate though they were, came together under the banner of fighting poverty.
Perhaps the nicest image that I leave with is of people leaving the grounds not dressed in band merchandise but in shirts commemorating the issue that brought these bands together.
Sure, some of the artists seemed only cursorily informed about poverty. But what does it matter? Everyone leaves better educated.
July 2, 2005 - 8:12 p.m. EDT
Neil settles on the piano for a plaintive version of “When God Made Me” - made all the prettier by a backing choir. But given the build-up, Neil's set is cruelly short.
Ah, but other artists are now coming back on stage for a finale that will no doubt stretch into the double digits. “Rockin' In the Free World.” Is anyone surprised? Still, you can't help but sing along...
July 2, 2005 - 8:03 p.m. EDT
Good on Neil for not going the predictable route. He opens his set with Ian and Sylvia's “Four Strong Winds.” The crowd is wary at first, but by the end, the audience is clapping along. I could swear that Neil's harmonica solo is a riff on “Tears Are Not Enough.”
July 2, 2005 - 7:52 p.m. EDT
The scene is set now for Neil Young. The conditions seem perfect: it's getting dusky. Despite having been on my feet for nine hours, I don't feel as battered as I thought I would. I think the temperate weather had something to do with it.
On the giant video screens, they're showing Neil backstage. We are primed.
July 2, 2005 - 7:41 p.m. EDT
Barenaked Ladies take the stage with “Brian Wilson,” coming on all dark and ruminative at first, and then loosening the reins. The crowd is very much engaged, but you sense that they're saving their love for Neil Young, who occupies an almost mystical spot in the Canadian imagination.
Even so, BNL's extendamix version of “If I Had a Million Dollars” is one of the highlights of the day, because it tackles the issue of poverty with humour and humility.
July 2, 2005 - 7:15 p.m. EDT
Without question, the most shambolic act of the day: DMC and friends. Didn't this rap pioneer learn ANYTHING from Limp Bizkit? In addition to assembling a group of D-list talent, he's enlisted D-list talent that doesn't know what it's doing from one minute to the next. It's like watching three bands playing at once. After a slightly oblique version of “All Along the Watchtower,” DMC delivers the song we all expect: “Walk This Way.”
July 2, 2005 - 6:49 p.m. EDT
Alright, Aykroyd has redeemed himself for a day of lousy “comedy” - he's playing harmonica on the Hip's “Poets.” Them's the blues, brother!
July 2, 2005 - 6:47 p.m. EDT
Faint chants of “Hip, Hip, Hip, Hip” are a sure sign of what's to come...
Meanwhile, I'm heartened to discover that the day's message is getting across to fans. The Make Poverty History info booths are doing brisk business in collecting signatures.
Aykroyd gives the Tragically Hip a noisome intro, and singer Gord Downie assumes his twitchy madman persona, letting loose with “Music At Work.” An odd choice for first song. The crowd seems far more appreciative of “Ahead By a Century.” This is definitely the most rapt that the audience has been today.
July 2, 2005 - 6:13 p.m. EDT
It only takes a few bars of Motley Crue's “Kickstart My Heart” and the crowd-surfing begins. For all their carnal energy, however, the Crue are unable to rouse the Sleeping Lady. She's a tough nut to crack. The rest of the crowd is eating it up.
Dry ice begins to waft from the stage as singer Vince Neil affirms that “this day is about eight men getting together in a room and doing the right thing, man.” He's talking about the G8 leaders, in case there was any doubt.
The reek of marijuana has definitely intensified during the Crue's set.
July 2, 2005 - 5:48 p.m. EDT
You can imagine that after six and a half hours of jumping and shuffling, concertgoers have kicked up a fair bit of dust. It hovers like a golden haze in front of the stage. It'll make for a great effect once Neil Young assumes the stage.
Far be it from me to tell someone how to enjoy a concert, but there's a woman here who has surely slept through most of it. People are beginning to trip over her prostrate figure. Surely there's a quieter place to take a nap.
Jann Arden is on stage, sporting a new blond mane and black, Bono-like glasses. Her repertoire isn't visceral enough to galvanize the crowd like Jet did, but she makes a strangely appropriate set-up for Motley Crue, who won't likely trifle with ballads.
July 2, 2005 - 5:25 p.m. EDT
Jet will be remembered not for their set - unadulterated retro rock delivered with the requisite moxie and long hair - but for making absolutely no mention of the day's pressing issue. Real classy, guys.
July 2, 2005 - 4:51 p.m. EDT
Any all-day concert event carries with it the risk of a nasty sunburn. And yet, there are men here who've been shirtless since dawn. Oh, well, I guess everyone wants to come away from this show with a souvenir.
Our Lady Peace takes the stage and sucks the life out
of the crowd with a morose cover of “Bird On a
Wire.” Please, pick up the pace, boys!
Ah, there we go - they found the distortion pedal.
July 2, 2005 - 4:36 p.m. EDT
Over the last few hours, the queues outside the Porta Potties have gotten out of hand. All that beer and water consumed earlier is making itself felt. Some fans are missing whole sets in order to relieve themselves. The problem is that the Celine Dion broadcast just wasn't long enough.
July 2, 2005 - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Admittedly, there's something incongruous about seeing Gordon Lightfoot on such a large stage, especially one that will soon be occupied by Motley Crue. And yet, standing there alone, with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, Gord is most definitely in his element. The crowd, which in some areas skews very young, is reverent. Gord's delicate and timeless ballads (”If You Could Read My Mind” among them) ring out with elegance. How can Our Lady Peace possibly hope to follow up?
July 2, 2005 - 4:12 p.m. EDT
Blue Rodeo subvert their somewhat soporific image with a full-blooded set of up-tempo roots rock. Then again, they did play “Try,” a classic lighter ballad. But their finale is infectiously raucous.
July 2, 2005 - 3:51 p.m. EDT
As expected, Celine Dion's taped address from Las Vegas is met with boos from the hard-rock audience in Barrie. Her assurance that she wishes she could be at Live 8 is met with a collective eye-roll. Fans deem her performance a good time to get a snack/answer nature's call/etc...
July 2, 2005 - 3:46 p.m. EDT
African Guitar Summit's set was joyous and uplifting. Its memory is tarnished by more lunkheaded prattle by Green and Aykroyd, which culminates in a raucous dis of Globe and Mail columnist Rex Murphy for suggesting that Live 8 was just an exercise in celebrity worship.
July 2, 2005 - 3:35 p.m. EDT
Ambushed federal NDP leader Jack Layton as he left a Porta Potty. Yes, I'm shameless. I asked him why he was the only politico in attendance.
“Well, for the Conservatives and Liberals, this doesn't seem to be as pressing an issue.”
The words “Paul Martin” are being uttered with disdain today by organizers and fans. What does Jack think of Martin's approval rating here?
“He didn't want to turn this issue into a photo op, but he had no problem inviting Bono to the Liberal leadership convention.”
July 2, 2005 - 3:02 p.m. EDT
Barrie couldn't get Led Zeppelin - Deep Purple will have to do. Lead singer Ian Gillan is doing his best Robert Plant impression. He hobbles around the stage, waves desultorily at the crowd and holds the mike like an amateur snake charmer. The band, however, has lost none of its instrumental prowess. Sure enough, they deliver “Smoke On the Water,” with gusto.
July 2, 2005 - 2:44 p.m. EDT
What, no Burton? Bachman did his three songs, made a shout-out to Geldof, then left the stage without even mentioning his former bandmate. Those who were awaiting “American Woman” today are disappointed. Deep Purple are due up next. I will feel betrayed if I don't hear “Smoke On the Water.”
July 2, 2005 - 2:36 p.m. EDT
Best guitar solo of the day goes to the svelte Randy Bachman, who rips it up righteously for the BTO classic “Hey You.” No sign yet of the other half of “Bachman/Cummings.” Randy's doing “Takin' Care of Business.” Fists are now in the air.
July 2, 2005 - 2:15 p.m. EDT
Rolling Stones tees are definitely the most prevalent shirts here, after the various Live 8-themed ones. Spoke to a couple of male concertgoers - one from Montreal, the other from Aurora, Ont. - who expressed some skepticism about the cause. Stoked about seeing Neil Young, they felt that it was hard to get behind foreign aid when Canada is addled by so many internal problems. “I'm conflicted,” says the fellow from Aurora. “And I wonder whether part of this concert is just a political ploy by Bob Geldof and Bono.”
July 2, 2005 - 1:46 p.m. EDT
You knew that if Bruce Cockburn was gonna be here, that he was going to pull “If I Had a Rocket Launcher” out of his bag of tricks. Given the circumstances, though, I hope that's a rocket launcher filled with bags of rice and other foodstuffs.
July 2, 2005 - 1:22 p.m. EDT
Starting with DobaCaracol,
the acts have become considerably peppier.
Montreal's A Simple Plan must have downed
a bucket of Skittles beforehand, because
they're giving it 118 percent. Their
attempts to induce the crowd to pogo
are admirable, if not entirely successful.
July 2, 2005 - 1:10 p.m. EDT
Randy Bachman is sitting in the passenger seat of a golf cart backstage, waiting to be caddied to the artists tent. Standing in his path: the members of Deep Purple, conducting several interviews simultaneously. Why are they dressed like they're going to a wedding? Well, better that than tight leather.
July 2, 2005 - 12:58 p.m. EDT
K'naan may be the best musical representative in the lineup today: a Toronto rapper originally from Somalia. Next to no one here knows who he is, but he gives an enthusiastic performance anyway, turning his song “Soobax” into a genuine arm-waver. And after that, he's gone. Could the organizers not have granted him another five minutes?
July 2, 2005 - 12:45 p.m. EDT
Well, this is a welcome
change - Quebec's DobaCaracol rip up
the stage with something that isn't
pure "rawk". Combining hard-hitting African percussion and joyous group vocals, these cats are definitely the most rousing act thus far. Wish the crowd could reward them with a better reception.
That doomsday prophet just accosted me. A dismissive wave of the hand got rid of him. Whew.
July 2, 2005 - 12:33 p.m. EDT
Events like this attract a lot of conscientious, well-intentioned people - and the occasional wacko. While sauntering through the crowd, a saw a young guy holding court in front of some audience members. Half-talking, half-rapping, he was saying that the world was “being condemned by industrialization and capitalism.” Not the most nuanced argument, I thought, but fine. When the dude started talking about an apocalypse set to happen on the west coast, I realized I'd seen him ranting on the subway about a month ago. He's finding no takers here. Take your doomsaying elsewhere, pal.
July 2, 2005 - 12:08 p.m. EDT
Sir Bob, in his taped public address to all the Live 8 venues, made the mistake of referring to Park Place as “Toronto.” The crowd here chided him with two chants of “Barrie.” But they're not sore.
July 2, 2005 - 11:59 a.m. EDT
Just ran into two ladies who made the trek from Montreal. Their breathless question: “Is it true that the Stones are gonna be here?” I ventured a guess: “I don't think so.”
July 2, 2005 - 11:54 a.m. EDT
At the topmost plateau of the grounds, Engineers Without Borders have unfurled a 130-foot piece of paper where they're soliciting people's footprints and signatures. Once filled, the huge banner will be delivered to Paul Martin. According to one volunteer, the fan response has been great. The response that meets the arrival of Bryan “I'm a photographer now” Adams, however, is greater.
July 2, 2005 - 11:43 a.m. EDT
Sam finally brought the rock towards the end of his three-song set, having apparently decided that fighting poverty doesn't mean you have to be mopey.
July 2, 2005 - 11:37 a.m. EDT
Near the media tent, a swarm of press people have circled NDP leader Jack Layton, who is doing what he does every day in the House of Commons: needling our prime minister. Meanwhile on stage, Sam Roberts has kicked off with his single “Brother Down.” Roberts, ordinarily a flailing performer, seems humbled today, and comes across as pensive. His band also seems hairier than usual.
July 2, 2005 - 11:12 a.m. EDT
Showtime. Tom Green
and Dan Aykroyd shamble on-stage for
some rousing pre-music banter. That's
the plan anyway, but the wisenheimers
get bollixed up in some silly improvised
comedy - Aykroyd suggests that since
Green is from Petawawa, Ont. (site of
a Canadian forces base), he must be
in favour of the Iraq war. So tiresome,
not to mention off topic! Tom Cochrane
redeems their shenanigans with a spirited
version of “Life Is a Highway.”
July 2, 2005 - 10:43 a.m. EDT
It's t minus 20 minutes and fans are being regaled with the haphazard social commentary of Toronto radio personality Steve Anthony. His moving oratory culminates with “Poverty sucks, man.” Deep, Steve, real deep. The crowd responds with an obligatory but half-hearted cheer. Fans seem more taken with the beach balls bounding around in front of the stage. If the feeling in the crowd could be distilled in a sentence, it would be: spare us the hokey preamble.
July 2, 2005 - 10:23 a.m. EDT
A fact sheet circulated in the media tent reveals the day's itinerary, act by act. Tom Cochrane will be the first “musical” act, unless hosts Dan Aykroyd and Tom Green decide to go into a Blues Brothers routine. Neil Young is slated to end the show - with a choir, no less.
July 2, 2005 - 10:02 a.m. EDT
When you pass Park Place on the highway, you see four massive cranes. During a quick pre-show tour of the concert grounds, I learned that each one is affixed with a fancypants camera imported from California. Presumably these cameras will be able to magnify the facial pores of each performer.
July 2, 2005 - 9:29 a.m. EDT
Perhaps fearing the wrath of the increasingly tetchy Sir Bob Geldof, Mother Nature has blessed Barrie with the perfect summer day: crystal-blue skies and comfortable concert-going temperatures. That means we'll be spared a Woodstock 2-like mudbath.
The crowd, snaking its way into Park Place, is remarkably
orderly and polite. They're all abuzz with the prospect
of seeing Sam Roberts, who may well be the youngest
member of the talent assembled today. Organizers
of the Barrie show have gotten a lot of heat for
enlisting so many artists who fall on the “classic”
side of the rock spectrum. Admittedly, I would have
preferred two or three more contemporary bands -
ones that didn't have to scramble to reunite. But
you have to give props to the organizers for assembling
this extravaganza so quickly. Chalk that up to the
cause - abolishing African poverty - and to the sheer
force of will of Sir Bob. Say what you want about
the lineup, you know that every single performer
is going to give it his or her all today. Or phone
in their all, as is the case with Celine Dion, who'll
be dropping in via satellite from Vegas.
