With Violet, Neon Dreams & Down With Webster
August 4, 2024
George Street Festival, St. John’s, NL
All Photo Credit: Tara Thompson
The 39th Annual George Street Festival has been a blast so far, with so many great performances. Night four was no exception. The humidity, rain, and fog could not keep people away as they flocked to the street to see some amazing musical acts.
Starting out the evening was the East Coast alt-pop band With Violet, who have been taking Newfoundland by storm this past year. The band, consisting of Sarah Newell (Vocals & Saxophone), Pete (Vocals & Keyboards), Matthew Cadigan (Guitar), Spencer FitzGerald (Bass), and Hunter Madden (Drums), captivate audiences with their catchy hooks, intricate lyrics and contagious energy. The fun that these individuals have on stage showcases their passion and talent.
With Violet never disappoint, with a set list created from a combination of originals including ‘Venice’, ‘With Money’, and ‘That Boy’ and some of my favourite covers including ‘Espresso’ by Sabrina Carpenter, ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ by The Darkness and ‘Beggin’’ by Måneskin.
Up next was Neon Dreams. Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia is the Canadian alt-pop duo consisting of Frank Kadillac (Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele) and Adrian Morris (Drums, Acoustic Guitar). This dynamic duo takes inspiration from multiple genres including pop, rock, folk, EDM, hip-hop, and reggae, creating a unique yet memorable sound. Their performances combine EDM with live instrumentals and vocals, allowing peak audience interaction while showcasing their talents.
Neon Dreams brought the party to the street with hits such as ‘Marching Band’, ‘Survive’, and ‘High School Dropout’. They also included a cover of ‘The Middle’ by Jimmy Eat World and ‘Ordinary Day’ by Newfoundland’s own Great Big Sea. No Neon Dreams set would be complete without their popular cover of ‘Beverly Hills’ by Weezer, which was definitely a fan favourite.
Down With Webster finished off the night, leaving the audience wanting more. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Down With Webster is a Canadian Rap Rock band consisting of Cameron Hunter (Rap Vocals, Vocals), Martin “Bucky” Seja (Rap Vocals, Vocals), Patrick Gillett (Guitar, Rap Vocals, Lead Vocals), Tyler Armes (Bass Guitar, Keyboards), and Andrew “Marty” Martino (Drums). The band announced in April that they would be embarking on a reunion tour after almost ten years off the road.
Down With Webster started their set with ‘One in a Million, which hyped the audience for an amazing set. Other songs included ‘She’s Dope’, ‘Gravity’ and ‘Chills’. The audience was treated to an amazing drum solo, featuring ‘Seven Nation Army’, ‘Killing In the Name’, and a Newfoundland folk song called ‘The Islander’. You will always hear everyone chanting along when this song is played.
Down With Webster gave the audience what they wanted by playing some earlier hits from the debut gold-certified EP including ‘Rich Girl$’.‘Your Man’ and ‘Whoa is Me’ (from this EP) finished off the night with the audience singing along and wanting more. Hopefully, this reunion tour is a sign of good things to come and this won’t be Down With Webster’s last time on George Street!
