Wednesday, March 4th marked the first day of the “When the Lights Go Down” 2015 tour, featuring Bobby Wills, Jess Moskaluke, and first-time headliner, Chad Brownlee.
While the show itself didn’t start until 7:30pm, festivities were ongoing throughout the day at Summerside, PEI’s Habourfront Theater – the venue to which the concert would be held. It started off with a small meet and greet gathering of no more than 20 people. The artists, casually dressed, came out and personally greeted each and every person, engaging in conversation for about 30 mins before the “in-house” hockey skills competition began, featuring the artists as well as selected winners from a contest put on my PEI Country Radio station, 95.1 FM- CFCY. Those who were there witnessed, the sometimes hilarious shots of those who participated including Bobby Wills who garnered the nickname ‘Crosby’ Wills during the competition. Also, Chad Brownlee, a former hockey player and draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks showed us some of his great handling skills.
Once that ended,everyone was given mini and full-sized Hockey sticks crafted especially for this tour – direct from Sher-wood hockey. To end the afternoon festivities, everyone was invited into the theater for a real treat – we got a little glimpse of the coming show that night with the sound-check! Each artist then performed 2 songs from their repertoire for that evening, and of course- the sound-check, and artists sounded wonderful. From there, everyone got some pictures and autographs before parting ways before the big show that night.
Now it was time for the Main Event – the first show of the “When The Lights Go Down” 2015 tour! The night started off with Alberta native, Bobby Wills. Right from the beginning he had the crowd excited, and I think I can speak for everyone in the audience when I say that when we first walked out on stage, we could easily decipher the type of performer he would be – and we were right. With his great infusion of classic country with a rock edge, in songs like his first song, “Somebody Will”, as well as “Crazy Enough” he had the crowd clapping and singing along. HE brought along with him a softer side as well with songs like “Show Some Respect.” He was the perfect way to start the show last night.
Immediately following Wills, was CCMA Award Winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, and Saskatchewan native, Jess Moskaluke. With her bubbly personality mixed with a bit of sass and a raspy powerhouse vocal in songs like “Used”, “Cheap Wine and Cigarettes”, and “Good Lovin'” Jess Moskaluke is clearly a force to be reckoned with and one Hell of a great entertainer. She even showed her diversity in some great covers like Meghan Trainor’s “Lips Are Movin”, where she “Rapped for the first time on stage.” There was no doubt that everyone in the crowd loved her. Especially after her special announcement…
*Jess announced to the crowd at the Harbourfront Theater last night that she will be returning to PEI and performing on the Main Stage at the annual Cavendish Beach Music Festival in Cavendish, PEI this July 2015 *
Last, but certainly not least was Vancouver Native, Chad Brownlee. I had a chance earlier in the week to sit down and chat with Chad about his music, the tour as well as his hockey career. I’ll be sharing that conversation with you all later on this evening.
His high-energy performance, combined with hit song, after hit song, enabled Brownlee to grab the crowd with little effort on his part. Brownlee belted songs familiar to the crowd, which of course had them singing along – including, songs like “Hood Of My Car,” “Carried Away,” and “Smoke In The Rain.” He also included his new song, “The Fighters” (title track to his newest album) and of course the tour’s title track, “When the Lights Go Down.” In addition, he really grabbed the crowds interest and had everyone singing loudly along when he did an acoustic cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud!”
What got the crowd on their feet, however was when Wills, Moskaluke, and Brownlee, clad in sunglasses, performed a catchy, and fun rendition of “Uptown Funk”.
All in all, the first night of the tour was a 100% success. For those reading this who haven’t yet bought tickets – DO IT. It will be a night of entertainment that you will not regret in the least.
** Chad Brownlee is also auctioning off a one of a kind guitar made from 22 Sher-Wood Hockeys sticks will be used throughout the “When The Lights Go Down” tour across Canada this spring. At the end of the tour, it will be auctioned it off with the proceeds supporting the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. The auction opened at 12:00am on Wednesday, March 4th with bids already at over $1100.