After an incredible opening night, Rock the Lake returned for more on Saturday afternoon, bringing with it amazing talent and wonderful people.
Getting things revved up on day two were the Headpins, a last minute addition to the lineup, and returning performers of the Rock The Lake stage.
After a mind blowing performance by the group last year with member of Canadian rock royalty, Darby Mills, it was no doubt that some were skeptical as they were about to hear what new front woman Kat Lawrence had to offer.
Petite in stature, it was hard to believe the lioness roar that escaped her was real. From the very first note she hit, the audience was encapsulated by her vocal capabilities.
Though her voice sits on a higher register than that of Mills, her Joplin like rasp and electrifying high notes pushed the Headpins from hard rock to teetering on the edge of metal, and I for one was loving it.
The real test came when they approached the band’s biggest hit, "Don't It Make Ya Feel". As a die hard fan of Mills since practically birth, I must admit I was terrified when I heard the band cue up for the song.
That being said, Lawrence exceeded all expectations, hitting every note and then some, adding her own twists and turns through out the 1980’s anthem.
Though Lawrence dominated the stage and may have stolen the show, the other members of the band would not be upstaged.
Guitarist Tony Dellacroce, shredded solos harder and faster than a cat shreds carpet.
Bassist Ab Bryant channeled Metallica's Trujillo with a crab like walk across the stage, all the while pushing out notes that thudded harder than King Kong’s footsteps.
Drummer, Bernie Aubin, did not slow up all the while keeping the group in rhythmic time no matter where they strayed, and jack of all trades Alphie Gaplin showed real diversity as he jumped from keys to rhythm guitar without missing a beat.
KelownaNow caught up with the newest Headpins addition following her set to see how she was feeling.
Up next to take the stage was yet another radioactive female, Sass Jordan. Deemed Canada's Queen of Rock and Roll, Sass and her band of ferocious musicians put on a show that won't soon be forgotten.
Paying tribute to the roots of the genre, Jordan's rasp ridden vocal stylings and the muddy waters reminiscent guitar tone brought the blues back with catapulting force.
A smile that could charm even the coldest heart, Jordan’s stage presence radiated like the sun. No matter what they played, the crowd reacted as if it was a double platinum hit.
Kelowna became definite believers as they clapped and danced all through the set, the only people seeming to have a better time than attendees was the band themselves.
A group that epitomized the phrase "music flowing through my veins", each one of them left their souls on the stage, Jordan included. Fighting through the thick smoke can't be easy but she never missed a note.
Making a triumphant and dramatic entrance to the stage, Rik Emmett and his band stepped out one by one to receive boisterous cheers from fans.
Opening up with “Lay It On The Line”, Emmett didn't make the crowd wait for what they wanted.
A true talent, you could close your eyes and be transported back to 84' by Emmett’s voice as it seemed to be virtually unchanged.
The only thing better than his impeccable vocals was his guitar slinging, incorporating his own riffs with that of the worlds guitar masters, like Hendrix and Page, Emmett showed that he and his music are more than deserving of the success they have garnered.
Though he has his own extensive collection of tracks, instead of just giving the crowd a typical sing along festival set, Emmett showcased his and the band’s instrumentation. Covering everything from Joe Walsh to Pink Floyd and one intense Led Zeppelin mash up.
Throughout his hour long set, Emmett proved he and his band have the magic power of music in them and bestowed that magic upon a crowd of thousands.
Before Kim Mitchell hit the stage, Prospera Place dropped the big announcement that RTL would return for a third year in 2018, and as if fans weren't already excited about getting to see the Max Webster singer, this cranked the hype to 11.
Coming out to a burst of lights and a roaring crowd, Mitchell immediately delved deep into “Lager & Ale” before hitting fans with smash hit “Rockland Wonderland” by song three, proving that even at age 65 you can still annihilate a guitar solo effortlessly.
“You know back at the hotel when all of us classic bands get together we have more drugs than the cartel, drugs from our doctors that is.” joked Mitchell, causing one unified burst of laughter.
As a veteran of the Canadian music scene with 40 years of experience, Mitchell is equipped with a heavy arsenal of killer tracks that he can use to steer a crowd in any direction, and that he did.
Pulling out the Max Webster hit “Let Go The Line” before diving into the 1977 prog-rock love song, “Diamonds, Diamonds”. Mitchell managed to flood the concert bowl with a sea of memories from the good ole days with a nostalgic, era hopping set.
Just before he left the stage, it seems as though Mitchell’s music called out to the rock gods and had them bless the smoky Okanagan Valley with some much needed rain.
A moment that seemed to be out of a movie, instead of running for cover, fans and staff at the event danced harder than they had all weekend in the brief downpour while Mitchell serenaded them.
From monstrous performances delivered by two powerhouse rock queens, to outstanding sets by two of Canada’s legendary front men, Day two of Rock The Lake refreshed both with killer music and rain.
For Rock The Lake 2018 early bird tickets head to the Select Your Tickets Website!
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