River Town Saints, Kira Isabella and Gord Bamford played to a packed crowd during Cider Fest at Puddicombe Estate on Friday June 23rd.
River Town Saints kicked the show off with a bang, as usual! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing these guys quite a bit in the last few weeks so when I noticed that their were a lot of people sitting in their seats at the beginning of their set I knew it wouldn’t be long before they were all on their feet. Sure enough not even half way through the first song people flooded to the front of the stage.
River Town Saints at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
The energy that these wonderful men bring to the stage is absolutely infectious. You can’t help but sing and dance along and want more after each song.
Chris Labelle of River Town Saints at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
Each and every time I see the River Town Saints they keep getting better. Rocking their way through the new self titled EP with crowd favourites “Bonfire” and “Cherry Bomb” to my personal favourite “Hungover It” and then slowing it down with “Woke Up Like This” and thrilling the crowd with a medley of party hits and classics. I can’t wait to catch up with them more this Festival Season and I suggest if the opportunity arises to see them make sure you don’t miss it!
Jeremy Bortot of River Town Saints at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
Next up was the beautiful and talented Kira Isabella. The first time I caught Kira live was when she opened for Old Dominion a few months back and I was immediately impressed with her big voice and stage presence.
Kira Isabella at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
Kira got the girls in the crowd fired up with “Shake It If Ya Got It” and “I’m So Over Getting Over You” and then kept the party going with ” A Little More Work”. Mid-set her and her band stripped it down and did an acoustic medley that was absolutely flawless and then topped off her set with a crowd favourite “Quarterback”.
Kira Isabella at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
Closing out the night was Mr. Breakfast Beer himself Gord Bamford. By this time in the the night the crowd had polished off a few beers and ciders themselves and were ready to rock and so was Gord. It took him no time at all to dive into his incredible catalog of songs.
Gord Bamford at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
The first highlight of my night during his set was when he said he was going to play a song that he dreads playing. Saying he gets through his set list and sees this particular song and thinks to himself do I really have to play this again. As soon as the song started the crowd erupted and started screaming. Every single person in the crowd was singing along to “Postcard From Pasadena” myself included. After the song finished Gord said and that’s why even though I dread seeing it in the setlist I continue to play it night after night. Everyone loved every minute of it.
Gord Bamford at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
Later on in his set I decided to go out into the crowd before taking off for the night and I’m so glad I did. As an all around fan of music the next moment was one I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. From the first cord everyone knew what was coming. A cover of The Tragically Hip’s “New Orleans is Sinking” and believe me it was unforgettable. A fantastic cover and an incredible tribute to Canadian Music and Gord Downie.
Gord Bamford at Cider Fest. Photo: Kayla Winkworth
Keep an eye out next year to see what the great folks at Cider Fest have planned.
