» Sam Roberts and the Good People of Algonquin College

Algonquin College started the school year off right by treating students to a free outdoor concert featuring The Riot Police, Birds of Bellwoods, and headliner Sam Roberts.

If you were lucky enough to have in your possession an valid Algonquin College student ID, the college in the heart of Nepean had a surprise in store for you this week.

Amidst an easy breazy sprawl yourself out on the lawn kind of vibe, local band The Riot Police kicked things into gear just after 7PM. The indie pop-rock foursome, who draw on influences such as Coldplay, Kings of Leon, and the Killers, were an immediate hit with the crowd. Lead by vocalist Alex Boyd, the young band played a number of catchy radio-friendly tunes from their latest album Movement highlighted by their first single San Francisco.

The Riot Police perform at Algonquin Commons. Photo: Renée Doir

Next up was the Toronto-based alt-rock band Birds of Bellwoods. These boys know how to put on a show! They performed with passion and boundless energy. Even the bassist who really can’t move around on stage much due to the size of his instrument was giving it all he had. Lead vocalist Stevie Joffe’s ragged harmonies stole the show and the crowd started to thicken and become more engaged with every song. Now signed with eOne Music Canada, Birds of Bellwoods are set to drop their highly anticipated debut LP, Victoria, in October. They say that the album invites listeners to join the band’s high-energy musical parade built on honest, emotive songwriting and laced with sweet, sticky hooks.We can’t wait to hear what they string together and hope that the energy of their live show seeps through somehow.

Birds of Bellwoods perform at Algonquin Commons. Photo: Renée Doiron

After a bit of rain to cool things off a bit after that barn burner, the juno award-winner everyone had been waiting for took to the stage. Although it would seem that the lighting crew was on a smoke break during his entire set (photographer pet peeve), Roberts and his band were in fine form and the crowd returned the love singing along to the band’s many hits. Sam Roberts has solidified himself as a Canadian darling, and a MuchMusic icon. Although the energy was there, crowd interaction was minimal and was more apparently missing after Birds of Bellwoods’ set.