There is always the question of who are the original authors of these posts. It is difficult to decide when people can post anonymously online. But the comments I have read have not been sugary and sickly sweet, some of them openly honest despite their love of the band, more so more than what Lynda Elstad (@lyndahere) presents in her posts and reviews of the shows she attends. Hopefully some of those criticisms are valid and not just spite and jealousy rearing it's ugly head and the band will take them on.
I find the comments made by Fartburger about photography and videoing at the concert and the lack of enforcement of the conditions interesting. For years these conditions have been printed on the tickets and not observed as we all know and nowhere more evident in the fandom of Lynda Here. But what is interesting the artists and musicians performing at various venues and making these requests then in turn reward people who break the conditions on the ticket by acknowledging their photos on Twitter and other social media sites. But photography is the less of two evils and is preferable to bootlegging. Fans taking either bootlegging and photography for personal use I believe is okay.
This is a work in progress as I venture around to see what the fans are saying. Their opinions are important too. These opinions were expressed on the Ticketmaster website in Canada.
GBS 2 nights in a row!! Woohoo!! Southern Alberta Jubille Auditorium - Calgary - Fri, March 15, 2013
by MBfanforever
Loved seeing these guys two nights in a row! They played some different songs within the setlist which was wonderful!! Sean McCann especially seemed revitalized on the second night!! Alan was funny as usual!! And Bob played great accordion!! I try to see them everytime they come to town!! Soo worth it! Enjoyable nights x 2 = life is grand!!
Great Big Sea Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Fri, Mar 15, 2013
by KatalinK
It was a great party atmosphere but the sound was distorted as it was too loud. Their great voices were not as clear as in past concerts and were sometimes strained. The venue was good.
Singing and dancing Nuffie Style Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Thu, Mar 14, 2013
by Dust3
I really enjoyed this show, we had great seats, if you like to dance. Our whole section was up and dancing so for those grumpy people who wished to stay seated throughout the concert then they should have chosen other seats or stayed home.
Great, but not exceptional Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Thu, Mar 14, 2013
by Fartburger
Well, I will say that for being around for 20 years, they still have their voices and their harmony. It was noticeable that Sean mc cann has pushed hs vocal limits to the edge, as he was not as clear as he was last time around, which is probably why the song General Taylor was left off the set list. As this is my favorite song of all time by GBS, I was sad not to hear it....but maybe better that he didn't try, than to not have it as good as always......I did hear him nail that song at the saddledome once, and with 14000 other voices joining in, it brought tears to my eyes, along with several others. Thank you Sean for that memory.
The only other thing that they had problems with is " random small talk " . You can be the best band ever, but if you can't relate to the audience, it does not matter.
ABOUT THE STAFF AT THE JUBLIEE : it was printed on the ticket, and announcements were made, that no cameras, recorders, etc were allowed at the show at any time. Now, for the average intelligent human, that is easy to understand. So why is it that as soon as the lights go out, several dozen cell phones, etc, began to take pictures, and film the entire show, while the staff did nothing to stop them....I remember being at the saddledome for an event, and for those people who decided that they should ignore that rule, were promptly escorted out. Why did the staff at the jubilee not enforce the rules ? I find it very odd as well, that this review page gives you the option of showing your pictures and video, as it s run by the same company that did the tickets, with the words no cameras or recorders printed on the ticket.
A giant kitchen party! Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Thu, Mar 14, 2013 @
Favourite moment: I enjoyed the video hilighting the last XX years and the comments from the band. @
by HarveytheHound
I was concerned that the elegant surroundings of the Jubilee would take something away from the fun that is Great Big Sea. Luckily, it did not. In fact. the sloped seating was a bonus when the fans got on their feet. I could still see the band! I believe that a great time was had by all! Favourite moment: I enjoyed the video hilighting the last XX years and the comments from the band.
Great Big Sea at last! MTS Centre - Winnipeg - Sun, Mar 17, 2013
Great Big Sea 20 years of awesome music! MTS Centre - Winnipeg - Sun, Mar 17, 2013
Great Big Sea at last! MTS Centre - Winnipeg - Sun, Mar 17, 2013
by Teresita
Great Big Sea started at 7.30 and played till 10 with only 1/2 hr break. Did 3 'encores' and the crowd went wild every time and in between times! The audience participation was the best I have heard at any concert. The group did a mix of traditional and original pieces and some had even the crowd in the upper levels standing. My hands were sore from clapping along to the great rhythms but it was worth it. Hope they don't leave it to long before coming back to give another fantastic concert.
Great Big Sea 20 years of awesome music! MTS Centre - Winnipeg - Sun, Mar 17, 2013
by Simon1
Favourite moment: Pics of random people during Good People and of course the tribute to Stompin Tom. Setlist: First set sound was muffled. I enjoyed the 2nd better.
GBS was phenomenal. I have seen them a dozen times or more over the past 20 years, two previously at the MTS Centre. The sound wasn't the best during the first set. It was better during the 2nd. The show was high energy and lively. As one would expect from GBS. Allan and the b'yes are the best. Here's to another 20!
So proud to be a fellow Newfoundlander. GBS showcases the music and it's importance in our culture. The band also displays the graciousness/welcoming feeling that we are known for. GBS are great ambassadors for the province. So very proud!
Great Big Sea - you make Canada proud!!! MTS Centre - Winnipeg @ - Sun, Mar 17, 2013
by Loriwuzhere
Always awesome to see this band in concert!!! They are wonderful representatives of everything that makes me proud of the Canadian music scene. They sound as great live as in the studio. They are warm & personable & you can tell they still love to tour after 20 years!!!
The only thing that prevents me from giving this a 5 star rating is that they left out 2 or 3 of their most popular & beloved songs...most notably "When I'm Up", "Clearest Indication" & "Stumbling In". So we had to play those on the car ride home instead!!!
One big kitchen party... Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium @ - Edmonton @ - Wed, Mar 13, 2013 @
The only thing that prevents me from giving this a 5 star rating is that they left out 2 or 3 of their most popular & beloved songs...most notably "When I'm Up", "Clearest Indication" & "Stumbling In". So we had to play those on the car ride home instead!!!
One big kitchen party... Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium @ - Edmonton @ - Wed, Mar 13, 2013 @
by janfrn
Favourite moment: The tongue-twisting Come and I Will Sing You by Bob Hallett was superb. @
Setlist: Ordinary Day, Born to Believe, What Are You At, When I'm Up, Consequence Free, Going Up, Sea of No Cares, When I Am King, Let My Love Open the Door, Great Big Sea, Safe Upon the Shore, Mermaid, Come and I Will Sing You, Lukey, Captain Kidd, England, Old Black Rum, Paddy Murphy, River Driver's Lament, Mary Mac, Excursion Around the bay and Good People
With a couple thousand of my closest friends. Great Big Sea has completely mastered the art of audience participation. I'm sure there wasn't a single toe that wasn't at least tapping at any time during the two sets they performed. There were perhaps a few too many reminders that this year is the band's 20th anniversary and I was deeply disappointed not to hear Boston and St John's. But they more than made up for it with their hair-raising harmonies on River Driver's Lament, Safe upon the Shore and England. The sound was a bit over-amped, which caused the lyrics to several tunes to be mostly incoherent. Overall, the show was everything I expected it to be.
