One of the great things about a first-time festival is that it’s impossible to compare it to previous events.
But setting this thought aside, the inaugural Seven Music Fest last Saturday was a triumph for everyone involved.
The family friendly festival was extremely well-organized starting at the gate where security checked big backpacks for alcohol, drugs and sharp objects to the killer bands, a great sound system and a much-patronized beer tent.
Festival-goers of every age, from toddlers experiencing their first concert to boomers reliving Woodstock memories, marked their spots and dotted the majestic Mission Hill with lawn chairs, tarps, quilts and picnic baskets.
The acoustics were superb as the bowl-shaped grassy hill acted as a natural amphitheatre reverberating the sounds of seven great acts and a variety of local showcase artists that turned the 10-hour event into a giant party.
One of the surprise highlights was Superman in cape and tights jogging across the hill in a beeline towards the beer tent.
Tupelo Honey was the first band to invite the audience to the stage and by the time Current Swell was playing at the microphones, crowd surfing was going full tilt.
But even before feature headliner Sam Roberts Band struck a single note, it was evident why they are so wildly popular in Canada. Their faithful following, about half the hill, surged towards the stage to jump up and down, shake their butts and clap to the sounds of the band’s catchy songs.
With an atmosphere that was suddenly electric, the energetic fivesome launched their set with calypso tinged Shapeshifters, from their 2014 Lo-Fantasy album. It was followed by Never Enough, a tale about a compulsive gambler that was highlighted with crisp horn and a flowing undercurrent of keyboard and smooth guitar riffs.
A charming and friendly front man, Roberts spoke ardently about the need to support Seven Music Fest and couched it with a distinctly Canadian character.
“It’s named for seven hills, the most incredible tobogganing hills in Canada. Coming down these hills was like dancing with the devil. So they flattened them out. This is the first time in our history we’ve played at a festival that was named after seven tobogganing hills. If that doesn’t define the Canadian spirit, I don’t know what does.”
Current Swell also rocked the boat in part because hometown boys Scott Stanton and Dave Lang were back. Their broad selection of songs was fun, especially the ones with reggae-infused rhythms. As a whole the band was extremely energetic and these guys can really play their instruments including a steel guitar.
Daniel Wesley sang everything from his old hits to the newly recorded Rub and I Am Your Man. Fans swayed and sang their hearts out and were reciprocated by Wesley’s wide smile and appreciative nods. You got the feeling that although he sang his allotted time, fans would have enjoyed a longer set.
Jack Semple and his two accomplices blew the crowd away with their blues washed rock and pop covers such as B.B. King’s Let The Good Times Roll and Shake as well as Brook Benton’s oh-so smooth Rainy Night in Georgia. The trio’s sophisticated musicianship, smooth improvisations and tight control left most watchers in awe of their musical dexterity and polished chops.
Tupelo Honey sang a few oldies and some new tunes yet to be released. However, it was the rippling rhythms of Halo, the tune that was part of a Cineplex campaign that really caught the public’s attention.
Jeff Stuart and the Sweethearts, a mix of retro-pop and folk-rock, were a class act singing some of their favourites such as Magpie and Apple Tree featured in the HBO Canada film Theo Fleury: Playing With Fire.
Scenic Route to Alaska had the toughest job of starting off the festival’s professional segment, but their youthful energy carried them through the homestretch.
Interestingly enough, the festival was barely underway when everyone was talking about “next year.”
“That was the plan all along,” said producer Barry Bailey. “We’re going to finish our accounting and put together a report for the city. There’s every intention of doing it again. We got off to a good start. We’re serious about it and we’ll be back.”
He estimates 1,800 tickets were sold – a respectable amount for a first-timer.
Seven Music Fest will once again have the opportunity to apply for a City of St. Albert grant from the Community Significant Event Stimulus Package. This year the festival received a $40,000 grant.
“Realistically we couldn’t have gotten started without the grant. I hope the city will continue to be on side.”
Bryan Young
