Boomstock Rock Festival set for Saturday August 24th is the fourth major event, promoted by the Feldman Agency which has negotiated production rights with York University to stage events at the Keele Street campus.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive, England’s UB40, The Box, Chilliwack and Sweet are all set to perform in this gem of a location which comfortably holds between 11,000 and 14,000 in its bowl-shaped configuration.
Jeff Craib, president of the Feldman Agency notes his company has already staged three high-profile events earlier this summer involving the likes of Shaggy and 112, Barenaked Ladies, KT Tunstall and Sam Robers Band, and Big Shiny Saturday with The Tea Party, The Headstones, I Mother Earth, Treble Charge and Bif Naked, with the August 24th date presented by BOOM 97.3 M FM radio.
“We are trying to present a little bit of everything” explained Craib of his talent selections. “We have a comedy show featuring Kevin Hart (September 6th) and German rock band Milky Chance along with k.flay (September 12th) for the University crowd.”
Recognizing that the current facility, which is used primarily as the headquarters for Tennis Canada, is only utilized as a training facility for budding tennis players plus the annual National Bank Tennis Tournament which switches annually between top male and female stars, the Feldman Agency felt the facility was being under-used and the fact that it can contain between 8-9,000 spectators makes it ideal for outdoor concerts.
“Toronto is the third-largest concert market in North America so there are always more acts than there are venues available,” Craib stated. “Sobey’s Stadium also caters to a growing population in the Vaughan area which means people don’t have to go downtown to catch a show. With the subway link going straight to York University plus its closeness to the 404, it’s easily accessible and it’s compact enough that you can be through the gate and in your seat in about three minutes. And the sight lines are tremendous, it’s just like being in a theatre.”
“We realized that the venue was being under-utilized, so we negotiated a deal with Tennis Canada and York University to do a long-term deal to do everything but sports,” Craib noted. “Similar to Forest Hills and Queens in New York. They are producing something like 40 shows a year at their venue. It just takes time for people to understand there are other shows you can put on besides tennis.
Randy Bachman is definitely looking forward to performing on August 24th. Now able to re-brand his name Bachman-Turner Overdrive (although co-lead vocalist, Fred Turner) is absent due to family issues. Bachman admits he has been up and down with his name since leaving the band in 1977, performing as BTO, Ironhorse, BBC and even solo with a variety of backing bands including the Sadies. “Yes there have been a number of challenges but I’ve always kept playing.” He noted. And now, reunited with his beloved Gretsch guitar (which was stolen over 40 years ago), Bachman says he’s in a creative mood. He is writing new songs with Fred Turner (who is scheduled to return to the band. Has regained his publishing and royalty rights and Is also working on a rework of a BTO Live In Japan recording during the band’s heyday in 1976.
“When you are on stage, you don’t realize just how good the band is live until you play back the performance.” Backman enthused. “I’ve had people from bands like Metallica and Megadeth say we inspired them. In our prime, we were that heavy.”
Bachman’s current lineup includes his son Tal (who gets to sing his big hit “She’s So High” plus a support group including former Crowcus drummer Mark Lafrance, guitarist Mick Dalla-Vee and Brent Howard( (bass) with Turner set to rejoin the band shortly.
The COVID pandemic ruined a much-anticipated reunion with Guess Who mate Burton Cummings, but Backman teased that a forthcoming tour is being set up for 2025.
As for the rest of the Boomstock lineup, Montreal’s The Box just played an amazing set at Kitchener’s Blues Festival last Saturday and had over 5,000 people dancing in the street. They are set to perform this Saturday at Rock The River in Saskatoon with the reformed Trooper, Prism, Aldo Nova and Foghat also on the three-night bill.
A rare treat is the appearance of the England ska band, UB40 featuring original singer Ally Campbell with Bill Henderson still going strong with his Chilliwack band. Also on the bill is Sweet which is just recovering from the loss of original group member Steve Priest but are soldiering on anyway to keep the band’s musical legacy alive.
“Sadly, you are seeing a lot of that with bands losing key members (April Wine’s Myles Goodwyn having recently passed on) but people still want to hear the band’s music. “If the presentation is good, people can still appreciate and enjoy them.”
For tickets, visit https://www.ticketmaster.ca/boomstock-toronto-ontario-08-24-2024/event/100060D4E5F835D7
