Sleepercar – September 10th at Marquee Room
When City and Colour played Calgary in May, much of the discussion post show was about how impressive opening act Sleepercar was. Those newly converted fans had the chance to check out the band again when they brought their southern-style rock to the Marquee room for an intimate show.
Sleepercar is the side project of Jim Ward of the band Sparta. Their set ran through songs from their debut album West Texas, highlighting songs like A Broken Promise, Fences Down, and the incredible Wednesday Nights, and a cover of Bob Dylan’s Lay Lady Lay. The band took advantage of the cozy venue to make jokes about how they smell due to being on tour, as well as asking an audience member to grab them beer.
Having seen the band twice now, it’s fair to say that they will not be playing smaller venues like The Marquee room for long. Ward is an instantly likeable frontman, their music is great, and they have so much energy playing live. I’d highly recommend checking them out next time they come through town, while you have the chance to see them up close and personal.
www.sleepercarmusic.com
Elton John – September 12th at the Saddledome
Some advice if you plan to attend a sold out concert that will be frequented by a more mature audience – take the train. I joined the long line of cars making their way to the Stampede Grounds because older people prefer to drive, but I still made it in for the opening strains of Funeral for a Friend. I walked into the bowl of the arena and there he was, Sir Elton, seeming larger than life due to the giant screens hanging on either side of his simple stage. The Saddledome was packed, even behind the stage as Elton’s setup allowed for the seats behind, for some of the best views in the house.
Backed up by his talented band, the show was straightforward – Elton playing piano, nailing a hit song, bowing, sitting, and playing another classic. Simple, but effective. The first major sing-along of the night came third in the set – a roof-raising rendition of The Bitch is Back.
The first half of the show featured a few megahits like Levon and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road interspersed with lesser-known songs. The show hit high gear about an hour and twenty minutes in, and just got bigger and better – Crocodile Rock, Benny and the Jets, Rocket Man, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues, and I’m Still Standing. The main set-ender, Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting), echoed through the arena as the crowd played backup singer for every word. Elton wasn’t done, returning to the stage for Pinball Wizard and wrapping up the 2 hour and 45 minute show with Your Song.
That’s right, I said 2 hours and 45 minutes - and the time flew by. At 61 years of age, who knows how many shows Sir Elton still has left in him? He certainly had the energy and performance of someone 40 years younger. If Elton John returns to this neck of the woods, simply put, he is a must see. You will not regret it, he is phenomenal.
