Sloan

Just over 4 hours away from showtime, and I am pumped. I'm confident it will be a great show, and can't wait. Hey guys if you read this before the show, please play Underwhelmed tonight and send it out to Will and the crew at MIX 97...actually, forget the shout out, just play the tune. SLOAN ROCKS!!!

Alright, can't wait for the show tonight. This is the first time seeing the band in my home town, whooo-wooooooo.
Even though I have a killer head cold right now, I'm still going to be there with BELLS ON ;)

Just got back from the show. It blew me away!

This concert was certainly different!

First of all, the venue, Empire Theatre, is brand new, having opened early in September. Lovingly restored, the acoustics are great and the people of Belleville really enjoy it. It still looks and feels brand new and perhaps that lustre dampened the crowd's enthusiasm early. Certainly, the security was extremely tight on the crowd early and that didn't help things. (Even after Chris mentioned about halfway in that the front row was pretty much empty and asked for the girls to come up front, the security guys were not letting anybody from the upper levels through.)

A second fact to consider is that Sloan was the first real "rock" act to play the Empire, and I don't think that the audience was ready for what a "rock" act would look and sound like. Belleville is a pretty laid back place, and it showed - Patrick had to say "You'll have to stand up some time" before anyone really got into the swing of things!

Thirdly, this crowd was a complete mix of parents with young kids (at least one 8 year old!), teenagers, college students, and over 30+. Not a usual Sloan crowd, I'm sure. Hard to get a read on them.

In addition, it seemed that there were more than the usual number of technical difficulties. Could be the first "rock" show thing, working the bugs out etc, but the band worked through it, even jumping into "The Good in Everyone" on short notice when Jay had problems.

Despite all these items, it was a good show - for my first time seeing them, I came away impressed. The crowd picked up and by the encore was pumped. I think the guys picked up on that vibe as well.

The set rocked, lots of material from "Action Pact" which sounded really great live. Andrew's drumming was excellent and extra bonus points for him fighting that mic stand that wouldn't stay in place. "Losing California" and "The Good in Everyone" were highlights.

The encore kicked things up again. The horn section and choir from Centennial Secondary School were brought out and added their part to "Everything You've Done Wrong" Much to my surprise, Chris then announced that the next song "was one we don't play that often" and "Take the Bench" started up. This is one of my favourite Sloan songs and they didn't disappoint! The kids from Centennial did a great job on this as well. Final song of the night was "If It Feels Good ..." and the Centennial crew danced on stage while the guys stretched this song out a bit.

Finally, I get to add Sloan to the list of bands that I've seen live, and it was worth the wait. Thanks for coming to Belleville guys - come back for Waterfront Festival 2004!

Awesome show to break in the new Empire Theatre. The evening started with Jay and Chris in the audience taking photos and video footage of the opening band, which created a pretty cool atmosphere. I was a little nervous of the crowd, as I and the other 4 people I was with stood when Sloan hit the stage I thought this is gonna rock, then I glanced over the crowd and to my surprise everyone else (for the most part) was sitting in their seats. I tell you I was relieved when Patrick finally got everyone to stand as they broke into Backstabbin', at this moment, the show became the rock concert I was expecting.

Highlights of the show definately had to be Sensory Deprivation (rockin'), and the encore starting with Everthing You've done wrong accompanied by a group of kids from CSS on backup vocals and trumpets...Very Cool!!!

So they didn't play Underwhelmed but the show still rocked. Thanks for a great night guys!!!

WOW, My face has been melted, Sloan had a great set last night, it was only my second show I've been able to see, but it was fantastic. I enjoyed the opening band and kneeled next to jay as we took pictures of Perter... erm... something. When Sloan hit the stage I was a bit worried as I doubted that many members of the audience actually knew what Sloan was all about but after the first few songs they were in to it(except for some of the Centennial students who got the first two rows for free). The best song in the set was in my opinion Sensory Deprivation, I just love Chris on the drums!. Once the Centennial kids left the first two rows got flooded and I was able to get right up front where the show started to take a real concert feeling, there were still people sitting though! the encore was good, they had Centennial play the hors for Everything You've Done rong and Take The Bench. The night ended perfectly with a little conversation with Chris. If you read my other review for Loyalist College last year, you know I met my girlfriend there, I told Chris the whole story and he wants to play the wedding! All in all it was a great show, and Sloan kicked ass once again.

I thought the show was amazing it touched in many ways that I cant even describe. Thanks cates.

Take the Bench? Lucky dogs!!! And with horns! Man. That is the best thing ever. Everything You've Done Wrong must have sounded amazing. However, I must admit the vocal imitation of horns is always a sight.

Sadly to say I don't usually ever go to rock concerts and I never really heard too much of Sloan until last night. The concert was 'just awesome' and I want to say thanks to everyone who actually liked the choir and horns because I was a part of that and it's nice to know that our efforts wer appreciated.

Hey Guys!

Last nights concert was AWESOME!!! I'm part of the CSS choir and I had such a good time! It was really cool of you guys to hang out with us and give out autographs and let us DANCE ON STAGE with you guys!!!. The concert was amazing, I was having fun the entire time. Thanks a lot for a great concert and I hope you guys come back to Belleville soon for another concert, I know I'll be there! Thanks again! SLOAN ROCKS!!!!!!

OMG LAST NIGHT WAS AMAZING!!! It was my first concert ever, and in Belleville! Belleville is such a small town and it was amazing to have Sloan to come here! I was shocked when my boyfriend told me they were coming! I didn't really know what Sloan was all about until i got there! I'm so glad I went....I think I found my new favourite band! I now have to go out and buy all the cds lol! I'm really thankful that they came out to Belleville! Thanks guys! Come back soon....PLEASE!

I have been a big fan of Sloan for a long time. I have 5 CD's (purchased, not downloaded) and heard that they put on a great live show. Even with this fore knowledge and appreciation I was not prepared for how amazing they rocked live! It was the best live show I have ever seen. Any live show can have some glitches and last night did have a few but they did not take away from the powerful energetic playing they put forth.
Mediocure crowd response was due to a very mixed crowd, Tuesday night show (not a big party night) and an early show time in a new theatre.

I hope Sloan realize how great they were and how much we appreciate them coming to Belleville.

Next time let's make it a Friday night with the opening song around 11:00 PM - They may even need the numerous security staff. Chris may even have to ask people to sit down instead of stand up.

Trust Sloan to turn an elegant place like the Empire Theatre into a rock and roll riot! Too bad the crowd was less than into it for most of the show. I guess thats what happens when you play at a place that generally pulls in the yuppies and baby boomers.
Being a huge fan I found it really hard to sit in a seat, especially since I was in the front row and didn't want to block anyone elses view of the show. Mainly my super cool prof from Loyalist who was sitting behind me. I was really happy that Patrick pretty much told everyone to stand up, though it's stupid that he had to do that at all.
I think that part of the problem was that a lot ofthe people there only came because their friends were in the choir that was performing with the Sloans. Not to mention all the parents that came to see their kids. Don't get me wrong, I love those kids, they made it possible for me to hear Take The Bench live again. I can't even remember the last time I saw that song live, if at all. It was also cool to see EYDW done with the horns.
Gotta say thanks to Chris for saying C'mon Chicken on stage, that made my night, so funny!!! I love that Jay thought my shirt was so funny too, glad to give you a laugh.
I was very excited that they played Sensory Deprivation, I LOVE that song so much and if that can't get a crowd rocking they have something seriously wrong with them. Also I have to say that Ready For You is so my fave song off the new album. Too bad there was no Underwhelmed though.
As for Peter Elkas, who knew someone could be so intense and mellow at the same time. I was super impressed, it's too bad that the Local Rabbits aren't still together though. (did they break up for sure? I don't really know) Even though the crowd didn't seem too into him, I think it was impressive that they were all there, usually no one shows upto shows like that before the headliner. Idiots, thats how I've discovered half of the bands I like, by seeing them open for other people.
Overall it was an awesome night and I think maybe having played in Belleville will show the people here what they are missing. I swear I picked the most muscially challenged city to go to college in!

This is a shout out to Chris, thank you so much for bringing my little sister up on stage to dance with you last night, you made her day. She wore her brand new sloan t-shirt to school today and was absolutely thrilled to have been kissed on the cheek by a rock star! Thanks again for making her feel so special, you're one of a kind.

This is my second time being lucky enough to see Sloan live and have to say it ROCKS! Last night was even better being able to meet the band(mostly Chris..sorry guys you are "awsome" too!)Although slightly dissapointed not having enough time to get to "chat" with them. It's all good though just to have the opportunity to see them in person for a moment!!! We can't wait to see sloan live again. Thanks for a great time.

That was a great show!
I loved how all kinds of people were there just rocking out to Sloan. The only thing wrong was security, they were being jerks. We tried to dance around, but they told us not to! And when we tried to go up to the front after the band told us to, they said no! Jerks! I gave one the finger and ran back to my seat:D:D:D
But, back to the important part, Sloan was amazing. I'm so glad they played Money-city Maniacs. It was totally rad. They had so much stage presence, it was just a really fun place to be. I loved seeing the little kids and older adults grooving to the music. It was fun.
SLOAN!! Please come back to this area some time!! You guys totally made my entire YEAR coming to Belleville!:D
Thanks soooo much!
have fun and rock out hard.

I've been a pretty huge Sloan fan for a long time, but as luck would have it, I'd never had the oppertunity to see them live until Tuesday night in Belleville. I'm so glad that I made the trip from Toronto to see this show. The theatre was beautiful and the sound was pretty good overall, but I foud myself wishing for more guitar in quite a few places. I loved all aspects of the performance, especially the part where the entire crowd crouched and jumped to their feet on chris's cue. Personal highlights were Sensory Deprivation, People of the Sky, and Take the Bench. The choir and horn section from Centennial sounded amazing. Kudos to the music teachers Blair Yarranton and Dave Reed for continuing to push the boundaries of education and giving those kids experiences like this that they surely won't ever forget.

Hopefully the Kool Haus tomorrow will rock just as much! (and happy birthday Chris!!!)

thank you sloan for rocking me

A great show Tuesday night. Sensory Deprivation was definately the highlight (Andrew!!!!!!) along with the encore. Also Andrew's drumming wowed me the whole night. I was one of the 30somethings there (Tuesday was 2 weeks after my 11th anniversary of seeing sloan for the first time) . I was also dancing my ass off - first in my seat and then when everyone got up. The problem with "soft seaters" (and thats what Chris called the Grand Theatre in Kingston on the Pretty Together tour) is that no one wants to stand up and block the person behind thems view. Which means the band has to encourage people to stand - it was the same for Tower of Power in Belleville. I thought the security was a little much - after all this was sloan not Rancid. Jay throwing the capo over his back was classic. I was a little disheartened about the lack of anything off of Smeared - I guess they have retired Underwhelmed again? . I also always hold out the offchance they will played Torn off of Peppermint.

The other cool part was I soon as I saw the guitar tech put the beer on the amps - I knew where Patrick would be standing :-) .

Backstabbin' sounds better live than on record (my initial opinion is that it was the worst released sloan song ever)

I agree! Best Concert Ever! I'm soo glad i went! Me and my friend thought it was kick as*!! Soo jelous CSS Choir got to go on stage!! My school! Yes I was the one screaming CSS CSS!! I hope they come back soon!

I am beyond impressed by the show i just saw. Sloan is my all time favorite band, and for them to come to such a small town and rock it as hard as they did, it's just incredible. This is the first time i have seen sloan, but i own (that's right, not downloaded) seven of their albums, with hopes of getting the other 3 soon. As a student living in peterboro, it's not that often that a band, a band as big as sloan, comes to the area, and to show such enthusiasm, even though the crowd wasn't as large as the big cities. I have one pet peeve though, CSS you did an amazing job on stage, but why weren't any of you singing If it Feels Good Do It, that is like the best sloan song ever, also the most common. I know i was singing to it!!!
I hope that sloan comes back to belleville or peterboro soon! i want to see you again, you rocked, even better live then on the albums....thanks for such a great show
Jen Glover

What a concert!! Being part oif the css horn section rocked! Thanks so much we had a great time!

A little rtainaoltiy lifts the quality of the debate here. Thanks for contributing!

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