After two years and a few months without a big rock mass, fans of the genre returned yesterday to the big shows at the Videotron Center. The Canadian formation Billy Talent launched its Canadian tour in front of an overexcited public. A totally magical evening.
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The last time that the amphitheater of Quebec had vibrated to the rhythm of a rock show with a large deployment dates back to January 27, 2020 with the visit of Korn.
Big, powerful sound, spectacular and strobe lighting, smoke effects, stringed fans on the floor, the “hoy, ahoy”, it’s been a long time.
Inside the Videotron Center, before the show, we feel a frenzy. Many fans of Rise Against and Billy Talent are in front of the various kiosks to buy the new tour jerseys. People are looking for their seats. Scenes we hadn’t seen in a while.
It was a first, since the start of the pandemic, with a show presented in front of so many people. The amphitheater was almost filled to capacity. Atmosphere, there was. Verry much.
Some wore the mask, others, in the majority, had removed it. We were far from having the impression of feeling in a sixth wave.
Billy Talent sets fire
Around 9:35 p.m., Billy Talent set fire to an amphitheater particularly warmed up by the performances of NOBRO and especially Rise Against.
Guitarist Ian D’Sa launches the first notes of Reckless Paradise. Ben Kowalewicz hops behind his microphone stand. His voice is good. The sound is excellent. The public sings and accompanies the caustic, energetic and melodic rock of the quartet on This Suffering. On the floor, in the moshpit, it slams. The audience in the stands is standing.
“I can’t believe this is happening. The last few years have been difficult. It’s not over, but seeing everyone here does me a lot of good, ”says the singer, grateful to see so many fans in front of him and who pleaded for peace and mutual aid and for the return of the Nordics.
Fallen Leavesat the start of the performance, followed by the effective This is How it Goesthe surprising double with “prog” atmospheres Forgiveness I+II, Red Flag, Devil in a Midnight Mass, Viking of Death March and Try Honestydelivered down the stretch, were the highlights of this reunion evening.
Solide Rise Against
With a last visit to the Old Capital dating back to 2015, we found that fans were very bored of Rise Against. From the deafening drum sounds that launched Prayer of the Refugee, the public is thoroughly. People sing the chorus and the lyrics.
Tom McIllrath and his band hit the bull’s eye with excellent, caustic versions of Satellite, Help is on The Way and Ready to Fall.
“We are happy to see your faces. It had been too long. I know that this evening is, after these two years, a magical moment for you. Let’s celebrate, ”launched the singer-guitarist.
At 7 p.m. sharp, the Quebec female quartet NOBRO, well received, offered thirty good minutes of electric rock.