Saturday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton was Nickelback’s Get Rollin’ tour stop with country rocker Brantley Gilbert and up and coming country artist Josh Ross. This is a new look for a Nickelback tour but in the build up to the tour Chad Kroeger said they wanted to do something different that what they had done the last 5 years, as it regarded touring with Brantley Gilbert.
First on the stage was Josh Ross, who I have to say has gotten a lot better with his stage presence than the last time I saw him in September during the Top of the Country finale where he was very stationary and stagnant. This time he had his cap on backwards so people could se his face and moved around a lot more. His sound is an odd fit for the tour as he does a lot of ballad or slower tempo songs rather than more energetic or with a rock sound like Brantley does, though he did play some. The first song I’m not sure what was going on with the lighting as it was very heavy colours and at times was hard to see him from by the sound boards where we were taking photos from. It improved from the second song onward but was an odd thing for those who were there watching him perform as well as for the photographers taking pictures, notably as we only could shoot for the first 2 songs. Overall it was great to see him performing on the tour and it appears he is gaining a lot from the experience only a few shows in.
The arena got fuller before Brantley Gilbert hit the stage, admittedly I knew a few songs of his but never really followed him much but he ROCKED the place. Brantley Gilbert just went hard for a little over an hour, the pyro, the energy, the stage presence it was like being a rock show. Brantley certainly was setting a high bar for the headliners to follow. Brantley was almost sounding like a hard rock or even a metal band at times which was a surprise and a great one at that. I particularly liked his performance of “Son of the Dirty South.” Brantley’s engagement with the crowd was great, he knew a line he couldn’t cross in this day and age, so he didn’t cross it. Notably he poked fun a being a rich redneck, as well as his distaste for “keyboard warriors.” Brantley is definitely someone I want to see perform again, maybe with longer hair so I can head bang.
The headliners turn to hit the stage and a packed Rogers Arena rose to their feet stayed standing throughout their 60 minute plus setlist. They would kick things off with “San Quentin” which got the crowd more fired up before switching things into “Saving Me.” I did have to miss a couple songs to put my camera at guest services following our allotted 2 songs, but got to my seat to enjoy the rest of the concert. Nickelback would play mainly hits of theirs in the set with 2 other new songs, in addition to “San Quentin” from their latest album “Get Rollin.” I feel like all but 2 songs were sung along with by the majority of the crowd, all but “Worthy To Say” and “High Time” as those are some songs maybe some were not as familiar with. “Rockstar,” which featured a contest winner singing on stage might have been the biggest crowd favourite along with “How You Remind Me.” You would see all 3 acts together on stage to sing “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle, which is a country rock song which is very fitting for the tour. It was great to see Chad and the guys work and interreact with the crowd whether it was acknowledging crowd signs, signing a hat, participating in a wedding proposal and getting a wedding invite. The contest winner singing along and the guys interactions with him were nice to see.
This was a great concert from start to finish. I got my finger tips on a shirt but just tipped it up and older couple behind me got it, so I was happy for them. Unfortunately a drunk guy leapt way to late, crashing into me pulling down my shoulder and hurting me in the process. I wish I had something to stand on for taking photos, like my friend did as I have never shot from there and should’ve known better after trying to shoot over people at the Luke Combs concert. I will know for next time. The show was one to see and based on the people around me they enjoyed it as well. I was very happy for the opportunity to get to see it as well as take photos at the show.
Speaking of photos here are some of the photos I took:
– Everett
