After an incendiary inaugural year, Rock the Lake music festival has returned in a blaze of glory to bring fans back in time with a weekend of sweet rock n roll.
A tough act to follow, RTL 2016 was a milestone for Kelowna with an amazing turnout and incredible line-up. That being said, day one of 2017 proved that year two is a force all its own.
At 5 p.m. sharp the gates opened, and an overwhelming sense of home rushed over everyone as the concert bowl began to fill and fans got ready for yet another weekend of spine-chilling classic rock of all genres.
Kicking off the festival like a firecracker, Toronto hit the stage and instantly lifted spirits.
“We know you've been down about the smoke, but we're still here because hey this is rock and roll and we don't give a s**t!” beamed front woman Holly Woods. A statement that was 100% true, fans of all ages came out ready to rock despite the heat and smoke.
Sounding just as amazing as she did in 79’ hitting notes you wouldn't expect to be in the register of a 64-year-old, Holly woods was a fireball and just as spry as ever.
Opening up with their millennial hit “Get It On Credit”, from the moment they took to the stage the fans got ready to break down the barricades (pun definitely intended).
Toronto managed to stuff a lot into their set. From fan favourite “Your Daddy Don’t Know” to an emotionally charged, short and sweet shout out in remembrance of Kenny Sheilds, Toronto did not let up.
KelownaNow caught up with Holly Woods and Barry Conners following their stellar set.
Platinum Blonde was next and with an already fired up crowd, you could feel it was going to be good.
Looking like they just hopped off their space ship that came crashing from the moon with intergalactic pants and of course, their signature out of this world hair, you could say they looked just as good as they sounded.
Lead vocalist and bass player Mark Holmes, was more than just eye candy as his voice sounded just as impressive as it does on the original vinyl pressings (minus the pops and crackles).
Drummer Daniel Todd was a ball of radioactive energy and guitarist Sergio Galli brought the icy coolness needed to almost make the 35-degree heat feel like the Arctic.
A peak of their performance was their hit “Doesn't Really Matter” when the recognizable automated voice said "Are you sitting comfortably? Then we will begin" the audience did anything but, leaping across the pavement, clapping and shouting at the top of their lungs.
Platinum Blonde’s 80's new wave rock hypnotized the entire crowd, especially with their rendition of “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones before jumping into “Crying Over You”.
A moment some have been waiting for since the release of the line up in December, April Wine was about to close out day one.
A highly acclaimed, and decorated group, these fellows are Canadian Music legends. Though they may have shuffled onto the stage slowly but surely, April Wine exceeded all expectations that anyone may have had.
Opening their set with “You Could Have Been A Lady” from the very first harmonious notes struck the crowd was in awe, and that isn’t even a hyperbole.
Literally, from that point on the crowd couldn’t do much else other than gaze into the rock and roll portal of glory that was being opened in front of them.
To showcase their diversity April Wine tread water in the soft rock waves of “Just Between You And Me”, getting the crowd to throw their arms around their neighbour and sway, before they cannonballed into the prog-rock magic of King Crimson’s hit, “21st Century Schizoid Man”.
A six-minute journey through the different terrains and various time signatures embedded in the song, these old dogs proved that they can shred just as hard as the young bucks and still stun a crowd.
From 3-minute long bass solos, that made your muscles spasm on time, to rumbling drum solos that emulated a fierce thunderstorm, April Wine reintroduced us to the reason for loving rock and roll.
The pure, unwavering talent, the ability to still surprise and impress fans as well as the undeniable skill of what it takes to annihilate a short festival set, there's no denying these guys deserve the legend status they have been given.
For a band that's been around over four decades, having gone through the ebbs and flows of the industry, April wine seems to be at their most explorative and energetic point in years. Showcasing the skill set of each member, tey demonstrated that they are far more than the typical classic rock band.
A night that ended with attendees and musicians drenched in sweat with hoarse voices, it’s safe to say Rock The Lake 2017 is going to be wild one.
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