The unofficial end of summer has begun with the annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) taking place in Toronto this year from August 16th to September 2nd. Festival season may slowly be winding down for us too, at Canadian Beats, but not before we take the time to recognize some of the amazing talent performing at this year’s ‘Ex’. Onsite there are five stages for spectators to take in concerts, free with the price of admission, offering music from all different genres. The most notable stage is located in the beloved Bandshell Park. On Monday night Oshawa’s hard rocking duo, The Standstills opened for RIVAL SONS in a night of unforgettable music.
The Standstills have earned their place on the stage with their unique and heavy-hitting rock show that cranks out song after song that could all become massive hits! This local band has been awarded Best New Rock Group at the Canadian Radio Music Awards and after their performance on Monday its not hard to see why! The onstage chemistry between guitarist/vocalist Jonny Fox and Renee Couture, the lady with the sticks, is undeniable. They played songs from their brand new full-length album, Badlands, including the super charged hit single, “Wild”. We recommend that you get yourself a copy today!
RIVAL SONS arrived to the stage with some seriously badass swagger. From the opening song, “Back in the Woods” they connected with fans in a way that left many overcome with emotion. Discussing the concert with some fans after the show you get a real sense why this band has amassed followers that won’t miss a show! With comparisons of lead vocalist, Jay Buchanan’s voice to Chris Stapleton to sobbing during the playing of “Jordan” during the encore, fans connected with this band on multiple levels! The recent release of their album Feral Roots brought to the show the playing of a few new tunes that add a level of depth and passion that had yet to be demonstrated by the band until now, including my particular favourite, “Too Bad”. RIVAL SONS truly raised the bar for a live performance!
RIVAL SONS have a busy tour schedule ahead of them in the coming weeks, including some shows in Western Canada. Check out their socials to find out if they are playing at a location near you!
For more photos from the show, head over to our Facebook page.
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Connect with The Standstills:
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