Friday night marked the official start of the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the City of Surrey Celebrated with a free Blue Rodeo show at Holland Park. Being a block from our house, we couldn’t miss it. So, Drummer John equipped us with some impenetrable rain gear and we headed out to see the Canadian legends. After they finally decided to cut off Gretzky’s epic drive with the torch on the park’s big screens, they set off some amazing fireworks and then Blue Rodeo came out. I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan per se. I like Blue Rodeo, I just would never really go out of my way to put them on my iPod. But I definitely have to say, they put on an awesome show. I mean, when I go see a band that’s been around a long time, for me that usually means Sonic Youth or the Pixies. To see a really radio friendly band, with this much experience behind them, is a whole new experience. The sound was so clean and you can totally tell they’ve been doing this a long time. No glitches or muck-ups, like they could have done the whole thing with their eyes closed. The highlight for me, was when they played Lost Together as the last song in the encore. Standing in the cold Vancouver rain with bright yellow rain gear on, holding Drummer John’s hand listening to Blue Rodeo play Lost Together? That’s 100% pure Canadian cheese right there.

Blue Rodeo will be playing free again at LiveCity Yaletown in Vancouver on the 27th of February and then again at the Cultural Olympiad in Whistler on the 28th.

You can see the line-up of free shows at Holland Park at the Surrey 2010 website and follow on Twitter: @Surrey_Events

blue rodeo, surrey, holland park, vancouver, 2010, olympics, winter olympics, gretzky, torch, concert

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