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blog post Live on CBC Radio 3: Grant's Back with Music Fest Fan Reviews!

posted by Grant Lawrence on Aug 04, 2009

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Coming up today on Grant Lawrence Live, 2PM ET / 11AM PT on CBC Radio 3's web radio/Sirius 86:

Today's Guests: Colin Medley, Brenda Lee

Fan Review: Brenda Lee on Sam Roberts in Vancouver

Whoa! It's great to be back in the hosting chair after a long absence of trekking across Canada to various festivals and vacation spots. This past long weekend (for most of the country) was another huge music festival smorgasbord, which brings us to our...

Poll Question of the Day:

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST EVENT OF THE SUMMER OF '09 SO FAR?

Was the weather really as good as I heard it was at the Winnipeg Folk Fest? Did the weather really truly suck at Hillside? Did I meet you in Dawson? What did you do this past weekend?

Let us know by posting your comments to our blog or emailing feedback@cbcradio3.com. You can also Twitter us @cbcradio3.

Also on today's show, Fan Reviews of Sam Roberts at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby BC from Brenda Lee and Sappy Fest in Sackville NB from Colin Medley!

That's the Desolation Sound Boozer Cruiser pictured above.

posted by Grant Lawrence on Aug 04, 2009

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#1 posted by
miken32
on Aug 04, 2009

Congrats on the engagement. The best is yet to come.

#2 posted by
drock
on Aug 04, 2009

we missed your voice!

Winnipeg Folk Fest did not have the apocolyptic weather we were all treated to last year, making this year's seem positively perfect in comparison.

But I, for one, don't like having to sleep in 4 layers of clothing plus a sleeping bag to avoid hypothermia. That is all.

#3 posted by
WildWorks
on Aug 04, 2009

Ottawa Bluesfest was pretty good but the times I went which were the weekends had rain only in the afternoon. I only went for the Canadian indie performers at Blacksheep Stage.... except for Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the final day. :)

#4 posted by
boders
on Aug 04, 2009

Many congrats on the happy announcement and welcome back from holidays!

Brenda, what's with the secret about your fan review today? haha, looking forward to it

#5 posted by
WildWorks
on Aug 04, 2009

I meant I am listening to Rebekah Higgs and her SOBAMA Show at the same time, Grant. :)
Just hope the host breaks aren't at the same time. :)

#6 posted by
magnum777
on Aug 04, 2009

We missed you... Afternoons just aren't the same without some GL!

#7 posted by
tb3
on Aug 04, 2009

It was Home County Folk Festival. Right here essentially in my front yard. It was free and I spent from Thursday evening to Sunday immersed in some very great Canadian Music.

The weekend started with four and half hours of Joel Plaskett and Peter Elkas. And ended with Elliott Brood and Matthew Barber Saturday and the festival workshop fusion stages on the Sunday.

I even managed to see Elliott Brood, when they still had six lungs.

While the Phogphest was a very close second, three and a half straight days embroiled in music. Those two events back to back weekends made it a lifetime experience, not just epic for this summer.

#8 posted by
Jason Neve
on Aug 04, 2009

One great thing about this summer, is car-free day every Sunday on Commercial. I live right next to the Drive, so its really cool that every Sunday, I can walk up to get my groceries, and walk the road freely, talk to my neighbors, hear some music, have a beer on the street, and people-watch.

I've done three great hikes so far this summer - including Joffre Lakes this past weekend, but the highlight will be my wedding September 5th...

#9 posted by
WildWorks
on Aug 04, 2009

Same too, it was great to see Elliott Brood during Bluesfest in the Byward. :) That was before Casey went down.
I thought that I liked the lineup for Bluesfest in the Byward, even though it was like announced in the last minute prior to Bluesfest starting. Those darn Cons and their propping up money to the festivals in the last minute.
One downer for the Byward one was that I was so drained due to the fact that the shows were late and I had to go to sleep very late too.

#10 posted by
kn0ttyn3rb
on Aug 04, 2009

@boders I didn't know until this morning!

You guys will have to tell me how I sound since I don't get R3 audio at work. Argh!!

#11 posted by
nomadgirl
on Aug 04, 2009

definitely hillside. my first time, as i am always traveling outside ontario in the summer. it was perfect - great people, nice campsites, fantastic food, no corporate sponsors, fun workshops, and then some amazing music to top it all off. exactly what a festival should be. someone even turned my lost water bottle into lost and found!

and then there were those thunderstorms....at least it was exciting, and what's a festival without some good old mud?

just got back from osheaga in montreal, and got to see some favourites from hillside again. but after being at hillside the weekend before, the long lines, crowds and crummy food reminded me just how special hillside had been.

welcome back, grant! congrratulations.

#12 posted by
axis
on Aug 04, 2009

You were there too? You could've come to say hi, or something... I wish we were FB friends, then I'd have known and invited you for breakfast.

Are you still in NB?

#13 posted by
Colin Medley
on Aug 04, 2009

Yeah! I wouldn't miss SappyFest for the world, but no, I'm not in NB anymore. Arrived back in Toronto at 2 AM last night.

#14 posted by
krib
on Aug 04, 2009

Unfortunately, the only fest for me this year will be Ness Creek - have to get organized next year to attend more.

It was great. Ness is always a lot of fun and I usually discover a few bands I didn't really know. Got to see Carolyn Mark play, which was great because I'm a big fan. And heard Volanoless in Canada for the first time.
The biggie was the Tom Fun Orchestra, who closed Saturday night. They put on a heck of a show. I was talking to them the next day. They were having a great time, and were still in the same clothes from the night before, so I assume they'd been out at the after-hours tent when they finished playing.

We had the requisite thunder storm come through one afternoon -rained like crazy but the tent stayed dry, and it was quite nice after that.

#15 posted by
suckamc
on Aug 04, 2009

doh, you should have told us you were coming!

Sappyfest was definitely the highlight so far of my summer!

Martin

#16 posted by
MikeV
on Aug 04, 2009

I concur with Martin. Best event of the summer.

#17 posted by
fumblebee
on Aug 04, 2009

Yeah, sappy was probably the best thing all summer and by probably I mean definitly.

#18 posted by
Colin Medley
on Aug 04, 2009

Boozer cruiser? That's what people were calling me all weekend.

#19 posted by
Christine McAvoy
on Aug 04, 2009

He should submit a video for Said The Whale...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NiGDpn-eVs
Haha!

#20 posted by
Absotively
on Aug 04, 2009

If we get any storms in Edmonton this weekend, I suspect a lot more people will be nervous than enjoying the mud. We got the fringes of the storm that caused the disaster at Big Valley Jamboree on Saturday, and we had a big storm that downed a lot of trees and damaged a large building two weeks before that. My ability to enjoy thunderstorms is severely reduced right now.

#21 posted by
melshim
on Aug 04, 2009

If I could go festival-ing every weekend, I think I would be very happy. The Vancouver Folk Fest was so much fun! I feel like I might be a boho at heart.

And yesterday's Sam Roberts Band, Mother Mother and Arkells concert was FANTASTIC. Seriously, one of THE best concerts I have ever been to. Arkells were rocking, as per usual, Mother Mother harmonized beautifully and Sam Roberts Band was just amazing beyond words. I heart them all!

#22 posted by
jljakobsen
on Aug 04, 2009

I spent the weekend getting ready for the Regina Folk Festival. (see you there Grant!) I am looking forward to the fest but a little nervous too (I am a coordinator this year). Should go smoothly though.

I attended the Winnipeg Folk Festival this year and I was super impressed. What a fantastic festival. I can't wait to go back next year. Hopefully I will be able to connect with other R3 fans next year as I didn't really plan ahead this year and went with a friend who didn't have the same musical tastes as me but regardless of that it was a blast!

Another highlight was attending the Joel Plaskett Emergency concert that was part of the Calgary Stampede After Dark series this year. What a strange venue (I was served by a girl at a beer tub who was literally in her underwear and a cowboy hat) but it was a fantastic show! I loved that I could totally pick out who was there for the show and who was there to get crazy for Stampede. Such a hilarious combination.

Jenelle

#23 posted by
nomadgirl
on Aug 04, 2009

Good point - I just read about the stage and storm in Edmonton. That is frightening, scary and dangerous...the storms this year seem to be unavoidable. I was trying to look on the weather bright side, but wasn't thinking about the dangers. :/

melshim, a great combo of bands...I caught the Arkells Saturday night - fantastic show!

#24 posted by
tagish156
on Aug 04, 2009

Dawson City Music Fest was definitely the highlight of my summer. So many great acts, I got a coveted R3 scarf, and even had the pleasure of meeting you Grant along with a few other R3 fans. It was an unforgettable weekend. Maybe next year I can give you that ride Grant?

But I also must pay tribute to this gorgeous weather we've been having. The Yukon didn't get the long weekend, but I took one anyway to enjoy the hot hot heat. I saw the Whiskeydicks on saturday night in a dangerously hot bar and they put on a fantastic show.

#25 posted by
eggsbenny
on Aug 04, 2009

it's www.morningnoonnight.ca

it's a sweet blog!

#26 posted by
eggsbenny
on Aug 04, 2009

it's www.morningnoonnight.ca

it's a sweet blog!

#27 posted by
boders
on Aug 04, 2009

ahh that sweet delicious ladyhawk goes down so smooth and satisfying..i wanna see them play live again!....

#28 posted by
eggsbenny
on Aug 04, 2009

THIS SONG IS AWESOME! PLEASE PLAY MORE!

#29 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

totally agree! a hit!

#30 posted by
WildWorks
on Aug 04, 2009

I was told by Putzy awhile back that you and Jill Barber are together but I'm not suppose to know about it. :)
Good thing you let the cat out of the bag.
But yea, congrats to ya, GL (Green Lantern.... whoops, wrong name.... kidding)

#31 posted by
TheRadioHead
on Aug 04, 2009

Well, I figured you would have to go big or go home. Now you are going to say you're getting married in Belize, right?

I'm with drock, weather is all so relative. Compared to last year, WFF weather was bliss. Compared to most 30+ years, it was cold. Would have been a good year for a slanket!

Due to family crap, I knew that WFF would be the highlight of my summer. Until Sept 6, that is, when we have a wedding of our own, my son's. But that is the highlight of a lifetime, not a summer.

Oh yeah, had a great time spending the afternoon with Biospice, who was in the city for a wedding in her own family. She is wonderful.

#32 posted by
alex.werenka
on Aug 04, 2009

But the Arkells aren't coming to Saskatchewan.... are they?

#33 posted by
alex.werenka
on Aug 04, 2009

p.s. Congrats on the Engagement... the lead singer of Hey Rosetta! mentioned that when I saw them a few weeks ago...

#34 posted by
tb3
on Aug 04, 2009

Your son is getting married the day before my birthday. So his first full day of being married, will be the day I get older.

#35 posted by
melshim
on Aug 04, 2009

I was with Brenda, Alex (ofAnders), Lauren (lalalauren) and Cameron (boders) yesterday. Another great R3 meet-up and a lot of fun!

#36 posted by
Absotively
on Aug 04, 2009

It's actually sort of a museum thing and not actually a town; I believe no one actually lives there. Actually. It's all full of actors pretending they're in the 1800s.

About the second-last time I was there, I was 18 or 20, so the schoolmistress kindly offered her condolences on my being an old maid. The last time I was there, it was near Christmas and we made candy canes.

But the best part in the summer is always the actors complaining about all the people who are running around in their underwear (which is how they interpret modern shorts & t-shirt).

#37 posted by
emef
on Aug 04, 2009

Dawson City Music Festival was pretty great and surreal at the same time. Luke Doucet's show at the Palace Grand was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I barely slept, drank too much, and stumbled around the city at 3am like a zombie. And I nearly accosted tagish156 for his scarf!

#38 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

Hmmm... not sure! You'll have to ask them on Friday when the Arkells host this show live when I'm on my way to the Regina Folk Fest!

#39 posted by
emef
on Aug 04, 2009

Hey I didn't know if you recognized me at the mall yesterday but sorry I am so awkward and I was happy to run into you!

#40 posted by
kks
on Aug 04, 2009

I love this song

#41 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

Dawson was a blur for me too... did we meet?!

#42 posted by
emef
on Aug 04, 2009

No! But I saw you from afar and you always had groups of fans and I got intimidated.

#43 posted by
TheRadioHead
on Aug 04, 2009

I know you, my friend.

You told me that so that I would never forget your birthday.

#44 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

what?!? geez... :(

#45 posted by
emef
on Aug 04, 2009

Next time! When I am not a drunken, muddy, sleep-deprived zombie.

p.s. congrats!

#46 posted by
tagish156
on Aug 04, 2009

I missed you at the museum! They said you stopped by, I must have been on lunch or something, hoped you enjoyed it!

#47 posted by
emef
on Aug 04, 2009

They said that you were at the canyon. I loved the museum!! The boys I was with dropped me off while they went on a brewery tour. :-( I'm such a nerd for that sort of stuff. I loved the NWMP cabin!

#48 posted by
darbarspecial
on Aug 04, 2009

I am looking forward to the upcoming festival this weekend in Regina. I am volunteering at it this year, so I will see how that works out. So far the highlight had been a camping trip with my son and my parents. It was nice to get away from the computers for a week.

Darlene

#49 posted by
Absotively
on Aug 04, 2009

Yes, I did! And I think we were mutually awkward, so that's all good. It was indeed good to run into you.

Are you going to folk fest?

#50 posted by
emef
on Aug 04, 2009

I wish I could, but it was way too expensive and all sold out. Shame!

(back to work)

#51 posted by
Colin Medley
on Aug 04, 2009

Just to clear things up, I wasn't drunk all weekend.

#52 posted by
darbarspecial
on Aug 04, 2009

I might get the courage to come up and talk to you, but I may be like emef was. Hehe. I did speak to you briefly last year at the festival. I had won the wrist band for the weekend from your show. Thanks again!

Darlene

#53 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

Wow, that is NOT what a few folks have reported back! Did you find that green hat???

#54 posted by
kks
on Aug 04, 2009

i hate this song

#55 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

what!?! have you seen them live?!? you can't hate them!

#56 posted by
miken32
on Aug 04, 2009

At the very moment you were writing your comment I was thinking this song is so ridiculous. It makes me laugh though.

#57 posted by
Absotively
on Aug 04, 2009

Aw, that sucks.

My parents gave me a pass for my birthday, otherwise I probably wouldn't have thought about it until after they'd sold out.

#58 posted by
WildWorks
on Aug 04, 2009

I am still puzzled by trying to say her R3 username. :)

#59 posted by
dshugar
on Aug 04, 2009

Haha - funny you should suggest that the caller's car may have been stolen if left in Surrey during the multicultural festival. We also went to the Joel Plaskett show in Surrey and thought that our catalytic converter might be stolen. My wife works in Surrey (long commute from Commercial Drive!) and someone's catalytic converter was stolen from outside her government office building a few months back! Luckily our car was untouched. I don't think the show was the best event of the summer so far, but it was fun anyway.
Cheers, Dan
www.danshugar.com
ps - mazel tov on the engagement, Grant. At least one of my friends will be disappointed though.

#60 posted by
dawn.h
on Aug 04, 2009

It's hard to decide between the live outdoor concerts at Harbourfront in Toronto. Chad VanGaalen/The Constantines was so super spectacular and blew me away out of nowhere. I knew they were good but I wasn't expecting to love the show as much as I did. But the Broken Social Scene concert was great, although I expected no less, and had that group-love vibe going.

But this past weekend in Georgian Bay with friends and Flip Cup was probably the highlight so far.

Grant: Congrats on the engagement. Maybe we should organize a group of R3 ladies in black crying at the wedding. Haha.

#61 posted by
savvie
on Aug 04, 2009

As Barb's talking about it...I have to say I thought they played great, but the Arkells seemed to get the "opening band sound treatment" - really not helping them out much. Too bad, but I think they'll be headliners rockin hard with great sound soon enough!

#62 posted by
kks
on Aug 04, 2009

i havent seen them live, but i did see the video of them at the six shooter..

their voices are just so terribly annoying! and the lyrics do sound as if theyre written by a 10 year old :P

but more power to them to get better.. a lot better :p

#63 posted by
TheRadioHead
on Aug 04, 2009

Formerly of Mother Mother was backing up T. Nile at the WFF.

#64 posted by
boders
on Aug 04, 2009

@Brenda - everything sounded just fine!

A few additional thoughts on yesterdays show:

I totally agree with Brenda, the Arkells must vacuum up fans with every one of their live shows..for such a relatively new band they sure know how to work a crowd.

Hearing the audience singing the girls parts during Mother Mother songs is frigging hilarious! Think of a crowd screaming those high falsetto 'Hayloft!''s..priceless.

Never underestimate Sam Roberts...I can't lie, Arkells and Mother Mother were the primary draws for me to this concert. I've never seen Mother Mother before now and was very sad about missing Arkells when they were in town for junofest. Sam Roberts was just a bonus for me as I've seen him play before...I should have remembered that he will tear your ass off! Even if you aren't partaking of 'herbs' as some are wont to do at these concerts you are still going on a trip courtesy of 'MindFlood'. I have a soft spot for prog rock and extended solo's...it was a bit too much for some, but i was in heaven

#65 posted by
MusicSoop
on Aug 04, 2009

No festivals for me this year. Maybe Hillside and Sappy next year??

Best event I've been to this summer was the Chad V. and Constantines show at Harbourfront, but the Weakerthans and Jason Collett was a very close second place.

#66 posted by
boders
on Aug 04, 2009

hahaha..filling the void that Green Day left...oh Grant..

#67 posted by
mcfflyer
on Aug 04, 2009

Great to hear you back on radio3 again! But it was also great to have Lisa fill in.

Again, congrats on the engagement. And you put together some incredible songs for your Road Trip Podcast. Best one you've done yet!

Lee Hower
Sacramento, California

#68 posted by
kks
on Aug 04, 2009

finally on NMC is he.. quite a cool album, great to space out to

#69 posted by
Christine McAvoy
on Aug 04, 2009

I just shot a wedding on the 2nd at the Maritime Museum and then the reception was on a boat that took us around english bay... it was pretty glorious.

#70 posted by
GPots
on Aug 04, 2009

By a long shot, the musical highlight of my summer has been ArtsWells during the August long weekend held in beautiful Wells, BC. 50+ incredibly talented artists including Dan Mangan, Carolyn Mark, Rae Spoon, and the list goes on & on & on. The vibe in the town over 4 days was unbelievable - it must be experienced to be believed.

#71 posted by
Colin Medley
on Aug 04, 2009

Whoever said that obviously didn't spend much time with me. I was as sober as a judge.

#72 posted by
brainwash
on Aug 04, 2009

(Late to the party) Congrats, Grant! I suspect you'll have lineups of bands wanting to play the ceremony!

My fave event of the summer so far has been a (somewhat) small lantern festival held in Duck Lake in East Van. It was the same night as the first thunderstorm the city has had in years, but despite that, people were still out in the rain, dancing to the Carnival Band's tribal drumming all the way.

#73 posted by
dawn.h
on Aug 04, 2009

Oh Grant.

Flip Cup is a drinking game.

You need a table lined with those plastic beer cups on each side, filled with two gulps or so worth of beer.
And the same number of cups on each side of the table. And willing participants, one in front of each cup.

Starting at one end of the table, the first two people go head to head in a "1-2-3" cheers followed by chugging.
When done, the person's cup is placed on the table right-side-up and needs to be 'flipped' upside down.

The next participant in line can't go until the previous cup is flipped.

The first side of the table to flip all cups wins, usually followed by many high fives and mocking of the other side of the table.

After round one, everyone shifts around the table one spot so new teams are formed.

You get to know everyone.

(Thanks for the last word.. and you know we all love you and are very happy for you and Miss Barber.)

#74 posted by
Grant Lawrence
on Aug 04, 2009

you mean Mrs. Lawrence?

;)

#75 posted by
Supporting BC Artists
on Aug 14, 2009

Having the luxury of attending my fair share of festivals this summer I must say that the ArtsWells festival has been by far the most surprising and rewarding festival I have had the opportunity to be a part of. This festival is more about building and celebration a community of artists than it is about big budgets and headliners. This is not to say the quality of talent is in any way lacking, rather it featured over 80 amazing acts and some of the most amazing and dynamic artists touring Canada today. The best way to describe the experience is Summer Camp for artists and musicians where the idea of collaboration and community rules the day. If you are looking for an experience which is second to none and a festival which is not only unique but provides you the incredible opportunity to see magic happening at every turn then I highly recommend that you don’t miss next years ArtsWells Festival. If you’re a musician or a visual artist bring the tools of your trade as there is no shortage of opportunities to display your artwork, play music and jam throughout the night. The festival featured 7 unique stages with the acoustic church stage providing some of the most amazing, breathtaking and magical musical memories I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. This is a festival which will not only exceed your expectations but is a tribute to some of the best independent musicians touring the country today. Open your mind and be prepared to be blown away and I can guarantee that you will never want to miss the ArtsWells festival again. To check out what you missed this year please go to the following links: www.artswells.com / www.myspace.com/artswells

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