Featuring Fairgale, USS, and Down With Webster
There are only two nights left for the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent. What a wonderful week it has been so far. Night nine kicked off with Fairgale. Hailing from St. John’s, NL, Fairgale brings a little something for everyone. They describe their sound as being eclectic, blending both rock and pop influences that captivate audiences with their infectious energy.
Known for their harmonies and dual lead singers, Fairgale have earned themselves a place in Newfoundland music history with multiple awards including the 2023 MusicNL Rock Artist of the Year and a memorable rendition of Trooper’s ‘We’re Here For a Good Time (Not a Long Time)’ at the 2018 George Street Festival.
From tunes that capture a pop/rock/blues feel and evoke emotions that bring a smile to your face, this is one band you surely do not want to miss.
Next up was USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker). This Canadian alternative rock duo from Toronto, Ontario, helped bring the party to the tent. The band’s sound is described as a mixture of drum and bass, grunge-like guitar riffs, and 2-step rhythms. The duo began performing live in 2008 and released their first independent EP the same year with the single ‘Hollowpoint Sniper Hyperbole’. Their first full-length album, Questamation, was released in 2009.
Since then, USS has released singles such as ‘Mavericks’ (a collaboration with Canadian fiddler Ashley Machisaac), ‘Anti-Venom’, ‘3 Purple Butterflies’ ‘N/A OK’, ‘Yo Hello Hooray (Everyday)’ (the band’s highest-charting rock radio single in Canada to date) and ‘The is the Best’.
The band took a brief hiatus, announcing in late 2020 that the album, Einsteins of Consciousness, would be their last. Along with the album, they promised one final tour. Earlier this year, the band announced a return show in Toronto that sold out immediately. From this, other shows were announced, and Newfoundland fans were excited to see a show just for them.
The final band of the night was Down With Webster. Hailing from Ontario, this Canadian rap rock band brings a little something for everyone. The band has been playing various types of music for a number of years, with band members coming and going before finding their footing and sound on the Canadian music scene.
Down with Webster found success with their 2009 EP Time to Win, Vol. 1., which consisted of hits ‘Rich Girl$’, ‘Your Man’, and ‘Whoa Is Me’. This success was followed by their debut album in 2011 entitled Time to Win, Vol. II.
Since their first release, Down With Webster has found success with singles such as ‘She’s Dope’, ‘One in a Million’, ‘Love is Not Enough’, ‘Take Us Alive’, and ‘Chills’. To aid in solidifying their success, the band has been nominated for multiple awards, including Juno Awards, MuchMusic Video Awards, and Canadian Radio Music Awards.
Those at the tent were excited to see Down With Webster perform live once more. The band has announced that their 2021 album V was their final album. Since then, many of the band members have remained active in the music scene in various forms.
In 2024, the band announced that they would have a reunion tour during the summer of 2024 and have played multiple shows since. They certainly showed Newfoundlanders a good time in the tent.
