One of the Stampede highlights for music lovers is the Coke Stage. Free with admission, for decades the stage has drawn both home grown and international talents. Thousands have packed the grass in front of the stage to see bands like Nickelback before they exploded, Jann Arden, Moist, Tom Cochrane, Our Lady Peace, Barenaked Ladies, and many, many, more.
2017 saw a strongly Canadian lineup that included USS, Mariana’s Trench and Whitehorse. GayCalgary checked out 4 of the shows out of the 10 nights, kicking off with July 10th’s Theory of a Deadman show. Theory of a Deadman has consistently toured through Calgary and always deliver a fun, high energy show. A multiple time Coke Stage performer, TOAD keeps coming back and packing the stage. Songs like "Bad Girlfriend," "Better Off" and "No Surprise" had the crowd singing along.
Nelly Furtado’s July 10th show almost seemed like it wouldn’t happen. Ominous clouds opened up minutes before showtime with hail and lightning, causing the area to be evacuated. The hail stopped and the ongoing downpour couldn’t dampen Furtado or the audience’s enthusiasm. Mixing songs from her new album "The Ride" with hits like "Maneater" and "Turn Out The Lights" Furtado displayed once again why she has been at the forefront of Canadian music for over 2 decades.
While Furtado is a veteran, Alessia Cara is a rapidly rising star. Since her 2015 debut, Cara has been playing festivals around the world as well as appearances on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show. The diminutive spitfire was a ball of energy on stage, leading the audience of primarily young females and gay men and their families through sing-alongs on songs like Wild Things and How Far I’ll Go from the Moana soundtrack. Cara’s performance was refreshing – lacking the sexual aspect of some of her fellow female pop stars and offering a positive message about acceptance and self-confidence, specifically with the song Scars Till Your Beautiful.
One of the great aspects of Stampede this year was bringing local acts to perform during the day. The same day as Cara’s July 13th show, Edmonton’s We Were Friends took the stage for a brief set. The opportunity to add "Calgary Stampede" to the resume for many of these young artists was huge. We Were Friends made the most of it with an energetic set that displayed why they are rapidly making a name for themselves in the western Canadian music scene, including a recent opening spot for Prozzak in Edmonton.
July Talk – fronted by Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay with guitarist Ian Docherty, bassist Josh Warburton, and drummer Danny Miles – wrapped up the 2017 Coke Stage lineup in Spectacular fashion. Since forming in 2012 the band has become a mainstay on the radio and toured the world multiple times over. Part of the key to the bands success is their live show. Dreimanis – originally from Edmonton – and Fay have incredible chemistry that erupts from the stage. Fay at one point hopped off the stage to get close to her enraptured audience.
From performers with decades under their belt to rising stars on the international scene, the 2017 Coke Stage line up made for a truly memorable series of music.
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Contributor Jason Clevett |
Locale Calgary |
Topic Calgary Stampede | Concert Review |
