The lighting was stellar, the sound was amazing and the performance was no less than what you would expect from someone as big as Tom Cochrane and his Mad Mad World Tour. Even the opening act, Meghan Patrick was most welcoming.
From Bowmanville, Ontario, Meghan released her first debut album, Grace & Grit, last year after parting ways from the Stone Sparrows and she has done nothing but good things since.
In her 30 minute opening performance she played through 5 songs finishing with, "Bow Chicka Wow Wow". This last song, filled with boot stomping base, got the crowd pumped to see Tom Cochrane.
Meghan and her band nailed it.
The moment when Tom and his band arrived backstage they were joking with each other, dancing and clearly filled with a companionship that all great, enduring bands require. I was excited for them as they casually walked out into the stage light.
Their enthusiasm during the show did not subside one bit while Tom was constantly high fiving, fist bumping and shaking hands with members of the audience. Both the band and the audience clearly had a blast.
Tom played through the first few songs that included, "Sinking Like a Sunset" and "Bigger Man", before performing, "All the King's Men", with Meghan Patrick. The audience lost it when Meghan came back out on stage - everyone was clearly loving her.
Red Rider and Tom Cochrane played through a few more popular tracks with a few seconds of banter between each of the songs. But the crowd was out of their seats to almost a person, old and young alike, when "Life is a Highway" was belted out.
I was impressed. I don't think I have ever seen everyone in the NAC stand up at once. Arms were flailing, folks were clapping - it was a really great show.
When all was nearly wrapped up, both Tom Cochrane and Red Rider came back out for the encore and finished up the night with, "Good Times" and "Boy Inside the Man".
*Review and photos by Dale Sinclair - Facebook: @dalesinclairphoto or the www: dalesinclair.ca.