City and Colour, Ruby Waters, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
February 23, 2024|
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
The stage crew were scurrying, lighting the incense sticks, and placing the set lists.
“Let’s get emotional” Dallas exclaimed as he came out before gracing the mic with his hauntingly beautiful vocals. Kicking off the night with a heavily emotional but transcendental vibe, setting the tone for an experience beyond words.
The show encompassed an atmospheric blend of visuals and ethereal sounds that filled the air as thousands of eager fans swayed back and forth, singing along to every word, lifting their phone lights up to create stars during the song Astronaut, completing that circle of connection between the band and the crowd.
Curated for this audience, they also played “Hello, I’m in Delaware” as a tribute to debuting the song at Maverick’s in Ottawa to a crowd of 10. Building even more of a connection, which is hard to do in an arena setting.
The four-part harmonies in “Bow Down” also really struck a chord with the crowd. And the sounds of cheering filled the whole stadium.
At the end of the evening, Matt Kelly and Dallas Green helped capped off by seamlessly blending “Comin’ Home” with Alexisonfire’s “This Could be Anywhere” in the World during their encore.
Goosebumps were had by all as they ended the evening fully, completely, with “Sleeping Sickness,” encouraging the crowd to sing Gord Downie’s part to help bring it all together in the end.
Needless to say, the performance, connection, and ambiance of this show will be one to remember for a very long time.
Opening the evening was Ruby Waters and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. A perfect well-rounded lineup that everyone can enjoy from the very beginning of the show to the end.
City and Colour
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Ruby Waters
