Billy Talent @ Edgefest (Photo Credit: The Edge 102.1)

Everyone was wet, everyone was muddy, and nobody cared.

This year, Edgefest fell on a very rainy day. Many concert goers tried to keep dry using ponchos (often made out of garbage bags), and others went with the tried-and-true method of using an umbrella hat (which is always a stylish look). However, all attempts at keeping dry were in vain; these methods may have worked for the beginning of the day, but by the end of the concert, no one was dry or mud-free…especially not me.

The only ones who were able to keep dry were the performers who rocked the stage, which was covered to block the rain.

K-os was the first artist I saw at Edgefest. He took the stage, after what I heard was a great set by The Stills. K-os brightened up the gloomy day with a bright red hoodie that could be spotted from all over Downsview Park, as he ran around the stage, with a seemingly endless amount of energy. The crowd, who was already pumped, caught this energy, and grew more excited.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kos

Metric was the next band to play. Emily Haines put on a good show, and was looking better than ever, especially compared to the drenched audience. Although I loved seeing Metric, I was a little disappointed that they only played two old songs (Dead Disco, and Monster Hospital). I like their new music, but I would have loved to hear a couple more classics.

Haines also drew attention to the second stage, praising her “great friends,” Flash Lightning, who were playing at the same time, and encouraged people to check out some of the other bands playing that day.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/metric

After Metric concluded their set with Stadium Love, Alexisonfire got their chance to play the main stage.

I was so so so excited to see Alexisonfire for the first time, and they did not disappoint.

The set they played was great:

Young Cardinals
Boiled Frogs
We Are the Sound
No Transitory
Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints
No Rest
Accidents
This Could Be Anywhere In The World

I would have loved them to play a song or two off their first album, but all things considered, they chose 9 great songs. The band was incredibly enthusiastic, and put their all into every number. The crowd acted accordingly; moshing and jumping around nonstop. The closing song (This Could be Anywhere in the World) was amazing, but left me wanting so much more; I will definitely go and see these guys again, and I can’t wait.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alexisonfire

Then it was time for headliners Billy Talent. I was so thrilled to see this band; I’ve loved them since I was 13, and never seen them, so it was a big show for me.

All I have to say about Billy Talent’s performance is this: wow.

They played 18 songs, including an unexpected encore. The only way I can explain how great the set was is to show the set list:

Devil In a Midnight Mass
The Ex
This Suffering
Line & Sinker
Rusted From The Rain
Saint Veronika
Surrender
The River Below
The Navy Song
Pins and Needles
Perfect World
Devil On My Shoulder
Turn Your Back
This Is How It Goes
Fallen Leaves
Try Honesty
Red Flag
Nothing to Lose (encore)

Billy Talent played almost every hit, and every song I could have wished for. The crowd went absolutely berserk when they hit the stage, and didn’t stop for the entire set. At one point in the night, lead singer Ben Kowalewicz picked up a rubber chicken from the stage.

“Someone threw a chicken!” he said. “What other interesting stuff do you guys have?… What happened to like bras and panties; now I get fucking chickens thrown at me?!”

The chicken was later returned to its rightful owner.

Billy Talent was the most enthusiastic band of the night, by far. They spoke of their love for Edgefest; an event where they played on the third stage, when they were just starting out.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/billytalent

Overall, Edgefest was awesome. There were some lines that were too long and some portapotties that were too gross, but it was a great day overall. I think the key to this concert was the mindset of the audience. Most people went there totally stoked to have a great day, regardless of the weather. Lots actually loved the weather and the mud.

One girl, who was drenched in mud, brushed up against me and quickly apologized for doing so, since she was so filthy.

I said, “Fuck that; we’re all muddy today!”

“YES WE ARE!” she replied with enthusiasm. “Give me a hug!”

I did. I got even dirtier. It was awesome.

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By Cashlyn Teggart