I am a Nickelback fan.
Yes, I have heard the jokes and comments. While mocking the band remains a ‘thing to do’ the fact is, they are consistently one of the planet’s biggest bands, playing to arenas around the world packed with fans looking to have a good time. They sing some songs and have fun. Part of why I have been a fan over the past decade is because of their live show. I have stated that they are one of the best live bands on the planet, and they have consistently proven that point. The band’s March 12th? ‘hometown’ gig at the Saddledome marked my sixth time seeing Chad and Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Daniel Adair live. With so many concerts under my belt, walking into the show brought about a lot of memories, and a realization of how much the band has changed.
The first clue as to the different Nickelback came when tickets went on sale in the fall. For the first time the floor was not general admission but seated, which is odd for the band – a cash grab to offer the current fad of VIP tickets (the first 15 rows, some drumsticks, a poster and ‘exclusive merchandise item’ was $250 per ticket). Or a changing audience that is no longer in their 20s and willing to stand for a night? Hard to say, but I loved being able to be as close as I could to the band, crammed in with a bunch of other fans singing.
Nickelback shows also offered more bang for your buck, with a three-band bill that often featured another major artist as sort of a sub-headliner. Staind, Live, Seether, Daughtry and Bush all opened up for the band on previous Calgary trips, along with other up and coming bands like Three Days Grace. No disrespect to openers The Pretty Reckless – who are all over rock radio right now and reportedly put on a great, though brief, set that unfortunately I was unable to catch – but compared to past openers, it was lacking.
Then there was the stage. Gone was a ramp leading out into the middle of the arena. Their 2012 Here and Now tour had a set on a revolving stage in the center of the arena, bringing the band closer to those that were up in the back. The band once spent around $50,000US a week on pyro. While there were shots of fire in several songs this performance, it was not nearly what it once was. This was a band that brought fans onstage to drink in 2006, and seemed to really want to connect with them. Sure there was the trademark beer tossing and t-shirt cannons, but it seems like there was a disconnect. When Nickelback headlined the 2013 McMahon Stadium flood relief concert they reportedly refused to let their performance stream online. Would 2002 Nickelback have done the same? Therein lies the perils of entertainment; sometimes you will be disappointed with how your perception of someone changes.
Perhaps that is one of the downsides of being so big and establishing yourself as a great live band. When you don’t offer up that level of showmanship you had previously established, it changes things. Imagine Kiss without special effects, Cher without wigs, or Motley Crue without any flying drums. Certain shows you expect a certain level, and when it’s not delivered in the same fashion, it shows.
So after all of that, what did the 10,000 fans that packed the Saddledome get? There was certainly familiarity. A big screen and impressive light show. Daniel Adair being a killer on the drums. Ryan Peake being adorable and goofy while playing to the front rows. Mike Kroeger playing and kind of disappearing and Chad Kroeger remaining a charismatic and energetic front man. Every time I have seen them they always seem to be having a blast on stage, and that transmits to the audience. From the opener "Million Miles an Hour" from the current album No Fixed Address and follow ups "Something in Your Mouth" and "Photograph", the show set the pace for a parade of familiar hits. They busted out "Hero", Kroeger’s solo song from the Spiderman soundtrack that they haven’t played live in a decade, as a treat. New tracks "Edge of a Revolution" and "She Keeps Me Up" were sprinkled amongst hits like "Someday" and "Too Bad". They didn’t play much from their current album, but focused on leading massive sing-alongs and playing to the crowd. There was additional Canadian content – "Too Bad" featured some of the Tragically Hip’s "Blow at High Dough", and Kroeger lead the audience in singing Bryan Adam’s "Summer of ’69". Instrumental covers of Pantera’s "Walk" and Metallica’s "Master of Puppets" along with covers of the Eagles’ "Take It Easy" and "Hotel California" added something unique to the show. I am a fan of bands including covers in concerts because it gives you a you can only see this here, not listen on an album feel. Ryan Peake kicked off the encore with a cover of The Foo Fighters’ "Everlong". "How You Remind Me" wrapped up the main set while "Burn It To The Ground" capped off the evening with an extra dose of fire, closing the concert at just over 90 minutes. With eight albums under their belt, they could easily have added another half an hour of play. I guess that is a concert now – $100 for an hour and a half, and goodnight.
Was the Nickelback concert good, even great? It’s a question that is argued and scorned by people that dislike the band but, as a fan, the answer is yes. I had a great time; I sang along, thrust my fist in the air, and did all of the things you do at a rock ‘n roll party arena gig. Was it as good as past shows that sold out multiple nights at the Dome? No. The Nickelback concert experience is not what it used to be. Still a fun night, but I’ll always remember the great shows of the past and compare them. Maybe next time the bar will be raised again. Or maybe you can’t go back again. But I’ll be there regardless, because I am still a Nickelback fan.
