From CGee:

Great Big Sea Concert (8/9/05)

Since Alan Doyle is connected to Russell and his music I thought I'd put this here.

Just got back from a Great Big Sea concert in Wolf Trap, Virginia. It’s a beautiful outdoor venue and although the rain made it cooler, it managed to clear up so as to not drench those who were having a picnic on the lawn.

I believe the venue holds 7000 and it was about ¾ filled with a mix of concertgoers. They were on a double bill with a group called Saw Doctors and would say about a 1/3 of the crowd was hard core Saw Doctor fans and most of the rest were there for GBS. GBS came on first, which given the makeup of the crowd surprised me. I’m guessing that they did that because they are giving a concert in, I believe, Ontario tomorrow night and may have need to catch a plane.

GBS put on a great show, full of energy as usual going through a wide range of their well known songs. Here are a few I can remember:
Clearest Indication
Donkey Riding
When I’m Up
Paddy Murphy
Consequence Free
General Taylor
Ordinary Day

They also played, actually sung acapella, a song from their new album which is all traditional music. It was the first time they performed it live and it was about a logging camp, sorry the name escapes me. It was wonderful to hear the harmony and especially in concert, in spite of the heat and humidity, it’s great to hear such strong, clear voices. When Sean McCann sings General Taylor it gives you goose bumps .

The crowd was bouncing and that got even those not totally into the music jumping up and down too! Alan was all over the stage, jumping and running and occasionally trying to distract the other singers as they had their solos or played their parts. I hadn’t seen GBS in concert in a couple of years and forgot how much real estate Alan uses during a show. After seeing him on those small stages with Russell in Oz, he must have felt so restricted and although both Russell and he tried to do their best to dance and move to varying degrees of success, it must have been tough to maneuver.

I saw them the last time in an indoor venue, small, where it was filled with mostly fans. Wolf Trap is a great place but because it’s so large it’s more impersonal and at times the band worked hard to bring the part of the crowd that wasn’t hard core fans into the rhythm of the show. They mostly succeeded. They even tried a 70’s and 80’s sing along mid show that got everyone going.

I had a great time enjoying everyone around me bouncing and singing along! What's so much fun about being at a concert of a band that has such a devoted following is that it's such a trip to have that shared experence. They really put a great show and if they tour with their new album, even if you aren’t familiar with some of their music, I strongly suggest you go!