Bands On The Run – Guelph Review

So over the last 24 hours you may have seen our Twitter & Facebook page catch fire. That is because the Bands On The Run tour has hit Ontario. And boy oh boy you don’t want to miss this one.

To start off this is one of those shows where I really didn’t know what to expect going in. You have 3 amazing bands, but the question is does it work as a Live show. Well I guess you’re about to find out!

A Tuesday night in downtown Guelph, how exciting could that be? All depends on who you invite to the party. This time around the folks at the Guelph Concert Theater had invited some top shelf talent to make the floor boards rattle and I think the doors were actually left right on Main St by the time it was over.

The night started off with Nashville based Blackjack Billy and they didn’t ease into things. For those not familiar with the foursome from Nashville, they were a Highway Find on Sirius XM Radio “The Highway” back in 2013 with their debut single Booze Cruise and the guys haven’t stopped since. So kicking things off with a couple songs off the recently released Rebel Child album Sugar Cane, Get Some along with Blood Sweat & Beers as the highlights before a surprise (and boy was the crowd happy to witness this) Tim Hicks joined Blackjack Billy for a couple songs which were of course Tim’s Hit Single North of the border Got A Feeling (Blackjack Billy has also released the single South of the border) and off his more recent album “Drink Along” which also had Clay Bellamy from The Road Hammers join them on stage. Hicks’ energy added fuel to the fire burning up the stage. If you haven’t listened to this album do your ears a favor and take a listen.

Up next, the lads from the Prairies (Manitoba boys) Doc Walker, to be honest I wasn’t quite sure how they were going to fit in on the bill but I was pleasantly contradicted and it was one of those WOW moments. On tour to promote their eighth studio album titled The 8th, when they hit the stage you could feel the energy between him and the fans who knew practically every song and were belting it out loud and proud. They clearly have a devoted fan base. From hits like Put it into Drive, Rocket Girl and the most recent That’s How I Like It and an absolutely outstanding job with a Hotel California guitar solo. The fans got their 70’s era rock disco on with Shake It Like Its Saturday Night and those are just a couple of the highlights from the stellar set from Doc Walker.

In between sets you have the opportunity to go out and meet the bands as the next set is getting ready, so a good stream of fans go out and have the bands sign merch and get a photo op. So if you’re hitting up a show on one of the other 13 remaining dates on the tour, don’t be shy. The guys love when ya stop in and say hi. I had interviews earlier in the day with all 3 bands and those should be up in the coming days.

Hold it, wait the show wasn’t over. We still had The Hammers to go! Yes, The Road Hammers had yet to hit the stage and for those of you who have not had the pleasure of witnessing 4 guys on stage pouring their hearts out and having a blast doing it you clearly need to add them to your live performance bucket list. These guys have a long list of hits and having been away from the action for a few years taking a break and refueling the fire. Getting back together over the last year and releasing Wheels , which has already had a monster hit with Mud and current radio favorite I’ve Been Everywhere but those are just off Wheels, These guys have so much to offer and the pedal never comes off the gas. Its a cliche but its a Foot Stompin’ Fist Pumpin’ Hillbilly Rockin good time. My personal favorite moment of the night with The Road Hammers was East Bound & Down, the beat and how they deliver it in a live setting is awesome

To finish up the night they had everyone back up on stage to crank out a marketing genius of an idea. The guys got together and recorded a new song specifically for the tour called Run. Its fun and makes you want hop in the car and follow the tour around for all the Ontario dates (5 in total) but by the time you are reading this there is likely only a couple remaining. (London 26th, Sudbury 27, Kingston 28th, Belleville 29th and Barrie on the 30th) oh and in case you missed it, we have tickets to give away for the 3oth in Barrie just comment below on this article and follow us on Facebook and you will be entered into the contest for your chance to win 2 tickets to the show in Barrie Sunday November 30th.

Thanks for reading,

Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76

Bands Info:

Blackjack Billy – @Blackjack_Billy

Doc Walker – @doc_walker

The Road Hammers – @theroadhammers