LOCKPORT: Our Lady Peace masterfully blends old, new

Columns

July 5, 2009

By Thom Jennings The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Sun Jul 05, 2009, 12:44 AM EDT

LOCKPORT — Arguably, Our Lady Peace was the most anticipated concert in this year’s Molson Canal Concert Series and one of the main reasons so many people I have spoken to comment on how great this year’s lineup is. OLP arrived in Lockport to kick off a major tour in support of their forthcoming “Burn Burn,” which will be released July 21.

Highlighting new material is often a challenge for artists because many concertgoers only want to hear familiar songs, but OLP did a masterful job blending the old with the new. Of course, they had an audience that most bands could only pray for. If there were such a thing as a sell-out crowd for a free show, then OLP played to one.

They hit the stage at 8:40 p.m. and upon seeing the massive crowd, lead singer Raine Maida said, “ Oh my God, I think we’re in heaven,” after which the band opened with an updated version of “Naveed,” the title cut from its first album. Next was an extended version of “Superman’s Dead,” from their second album “Clumsy,” during which Maida urged the crowd to sing along and the massive crowd obliged.

It did not take long for even the casual fan to realize this was a special night for OLP. Standing in front of a backdrop displaying the cover of “Burn Burn,” OLP hardly seemed like a band that has played fewer than half a dozen shows in the past three years. New songs like “Monkey Brains” and “Paper Moon” were only distinguishable because the majority of crowd was not loudly singing every word of them.

A person standing near me remarked that OLP was “the best band ever to play Lockport,” a heady claim, considering the talent that has come through the area. I will say that OLP was one of the most polished bands I have seen in many years. Raine Maida is the consummate front man, combining vocal prowess and showmanship that is truly sublime.

OLP closed their set with “All You Did Was Save My Life,” a new track from “Burn Burn” that has been available on the Internet for the past few weeks. Closing with a new song was a bold move, but it worked because of the strength of the song.

The band returned the stage playing three encores, closing with a rousing version of “Starseed,” during which Maida jumped into the crowd.

Raine Maida gave a tremendous performance, and he undoubtedly did not disappoint the many fans in attendance. Nonetheless, it is important to note the work of the rest of the band, including Steve Mazur, the guitarist, who did not miss a note, and the flawless rhythm section consisting of Jeremy Taggart on drums and Duncan Coutts on bass.

Right before I left the show, a person said to me, “You better write a good review of this show.” A good show deserves a good review and OLP certainly deserves a good review after tonight. Before I left, I thanked Mayor Tucker for bringing these shows to Lockport. Two weeks, two excellent shows.

Contributing reviewer Thom Jennings is an Albion resident.

Text Only

Columns

LEFFLER: The things that actually matter
To hear some people tell it, this great republic of ours is on the brink of disintegration.

May 22, 2012 1 Photo
Your friends are great ... at Facebook
The internet has been the facilitator of a lot of good things; it allows us to comparison shop without putting on pants, lets people check the weather report without having to watch the rest of the news and it’s made keeping in touch with friends and family a breeze; cruising through Facebook seeing pictures of your friend from high school’s new baby, a twitter feed full of self-promoting tweets about your neighbor’s new online start-up, a status update from your nephew that talks about meeting Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly. Reading all of these updates from the exciting lives of your friends and family while you sit at home, it can at times feel like everyone is living the dream but you.

May 17, 2012 1 Photo
The war against the English language
April 25, 2012
VINCENT DAVIS II: Oil prices and the 'Bro-conomy'
Can we be serious for a moment; not too long, but longer than usual? Gas prices are going up folks. US oil drilling is at its highest point in more than 10 years. But when Toyota Prius commercials come on TV during sporting events, we know longer make fun of them for advertising a “fake car” that “only a hippy or English professor would drive.” Instead, we think to ourselves “40 miles a gallon, that does sound nice ...”

March 16, 2012 1 Photo
‘Mailing it in’ is not good enough
The U.S. Postal Service has been mailing it in for years. It has stuck like an old postage stamp to a business model that was going nowhere fast, literally. Snail mail is still the USPS stock in trade, and it has increasingly earned its nickname. And for a poorly run operation, it certainly does cost a lot. USPS must offer competitive shipping options, guaranteed faster delivery times and overall service enhancements — or the death spiral of an American institution will continue.

March 2, 2012
Gadgets Galore
The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has come and gone, but the gadgets introduced there likely will be part of our future for years to come. Record numbers were set with attendance, vendors, and square footage of exhibit space. Innovations were unveiled, and in some cases, expectations dashed.

January 29, 2012 5 Photos
LEFFLER: I remember the scream
If you’re sick of news of the run for the White House, I’ve got some really bad news for you: It’s about to get worse.

January 3, 2012 1 Photo
Put some Apple accessories under the tree this year
December 18, 2011 6 Photos
War of 1812 has lots of connections to us
December 17, 2011
Don’t overlook freedom
November 13, 2011
More Columns Headlines

Columns

Search Results

LOCKPORT: Our Lady Peace masterfully blends old, new

Site Map

Contact Us