Grey Cup Outdoor Concerts heat up a cold night

Only die hard Canadians would have what equivocates to an outdoor music festival in below freezing weather,  With temperatures hovering around -10 with the windchill and dropping with the sun, it made for a pretty bundled up crowd … but they did still come!

Friday marked day 3 of the music and the second full day.  The crowds in attendance were treated to some rock, hip hop, and pop before getting a full day of country Saturday.

Juno award winner and now also actor, this is Maestro’s 2nd show in Edmonton in the past 2 weeks, coming off a tour with Classified.

“Don’t make records, make history.” – Maestro Fresh Wes

He came out on stage wearing a signed Damon Allen jersey that he may have just recived from the former Edmonton QB just before his set… or not … but since Allen was seen exiting the dressing room and had another jersey in hand it seems a fair assumption!

 

Maestro Fesh Wes had an enthusiastic crowd for his 3pm start – so much so that he stepped off the stage and onto the speakers to turn the mic to the crowd.

 

 

Toque brought out some pretty die hard fans – some came into town just for their sets this weekend – their next one coming Sunday as part of the Boston Pizza tailgate party before the Gray Cup in the Commonwealth Stadiom parking lot with The Trews.

Easily the greatest names in Canadian music to ever form a cover band … when they’re not performing and on tour with the likes of Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, Slash, Gene Simmons, and Age of Electric, these guys get together to help share their love of some classic Canadian rock with the world.

Despite all of them born and raised across the Canadian prairies, they’re acclimated to warmer weather and despite what Todd said, that Alberta blood doesn’t come back quickly … it’s not muscle memory, just ask my frost bitten cheeks … and my driver’s license still technically says I’m from Edmonton!

 

The Strumbellas wrapped up the night on the Cooper Equipment stage with a pretty packed crowd … someone commented they expected to see more people … I pointed out the hoards hiding in the Boston Pizza beer garden on the other side of the flood lights.  Everyone, including the band, were so bundled up that the clapping sounded like a muffled smack of an area rug on a line … but they powered through and bounced up and down as much as possible.