Blue Rodeo has taken the stage here at LIvecity Yaletown and they have their own monitor mixer, which means i have the time to write to you all. This is the last full night of concerts as tomorrow we have the mens gold medal hockey game followed by the closing ceremonies. Its crazy to think about this past month and just how fast it has gone by. I am going to come in tomorrow morning just to do the soundcheck and then i am outta here to watch the hockey game and to reorganize my life for tour. I have the pleasure of leaving on a flight to Florida at 6:30am monday morning. By the way they are saying that monday will be the heaviest amount of traffic YVR has ever seen..thankfully i am on the first flight out!
I managed to escape last night as it was just a DJ down here at Livecity. I actually went and watched the game with my friend Jen and some of her friends. Kind of made me feel like a normal person for the first time this month. I have said it a dozen times to anyone who will lend an ear, but honestly this past month the entire city of Vancouver could have been underwater and apart from my venue i am working at , and the trip home , i would have no clue. I have been completely isolated from the rest of the world and the partiers. I am stuck in the middle of thinking i have missed out on Olympic revelry, and thinking i am very lucky to have spent everyday down here taking in some really great music.
Tonight has been no exception. Blue Rodeo is on right now doing there thing, and we all know the songs to sing a long to. Just before their headlining set we were lucky to have the four beautiful voices of Chic Gamine, as well as the sole drummer holding down the rhythm. I have worked with them before at Festival Vancouver and their album is in rotation on my ipod for sure!
If you have a chance, click on the link and have a looksie!
http://www.chicgamine.com/wp/
Alright i am signing off for now, and never have i been more relieved to hear fireworks than i am right now.
The end is near.....
Sunshine state...Here i come
Craigers
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Relating to a song
Elton John's "Im Still Standing"....
only two full days left of the olympic mainstage and then its time to head south and start the next chapter of my professional life and career. We are about to embark on the "Crazy Love" world tour with the Maestro Michael Buble and although i could sure use a day off I am excited to get out of Vancouver and to get the busses rolling on down the interstates.
It sure has been interesting the last few months for me.
I hope to amend some severed ties
and i hope to continue moving forward in my life and career
Sometimes you get blinded and lose focus...
If i stay standing for the next two days of bands here at Livecity Yaletown then i know that nothing can bring me down.
It really has been a testing month...both physically and mentally.
I am thankful to have been surrounded by such an amazing crew and group of friends. They all pitched in to help me out with my sore back , and although they have taken the piss out of me any chance they can get , they have been there to help me everytime.
Thanks to all of you.
Craigers
only two full days left of the olympic mainstage and then its time to head south and start the next chapter of my professional life and career. We are about to embark on the "Crazy Love" world tour with the Maestro Michael Buble and although i could sure use a day off I am excited to get out of Vancouver and to get the busses rolling on down the interstates.
It sure has been interesting the last few months for me.
I hope to amend some severed ties
and i hope to continue moving forward in my life and career
Sometimes you get blinded and lose focus...
If i stay standing for the next two days of bands here at Livecity Yaletown then i know that nothing can bring me down.
It really has been a testing month...both physically and mentally.
I am thankful to have been surrounded by such an amazing crew and group of friends. They all pitched in to help me out with my sore back , and although they have taken the piss out of me any chance they can get , they have been there to help me everytime.
Thanks to all of you.
Craigers
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Captain's Log
Day 20 and still no sign of the end, although it is near.
Crew is becoming restless, agitated, cranky, and sarcasm is at an all time high.
Several members appear to be dozing off while in awkward positions , such as upright in a folding chair.
The rain has now set in and where in the past the sun would brighten spirits, its now dreary and dark.
No longer are we accommodating and offering free smiles...we are now fighting for our own lives and its every crew member for themselves.
The Irish have been given a half day off to rest for the upcoming battles the weekend will present, and dissension amongst the pack has been addressed by our fearless leader. Tomorrow we face an iry squad bent on producing maximum bass at all frequencies. We must hold our own, defend our territory, and be done in 30 minutes and not a minute longer.
stay tuned for more updates as they occur...
over and out
anonymous
Crew is becoming restless, agitated, cranky, and sarcasm is at an all time high.
Several members appear to be dozing off while in awkward positions , such as upright in a folding chair.
The rain has now set in and where in the past the sun would brighten spirits, its now dreary and dark.
No longer are we accommodating and offering free smiles...we are now fighting for our own lives and its every crew member for themselves.
The Irish have been given a half day off to rest for the upcoming battles the weekend will present, and dissension amongst the pack has been addressed by our fearless leader. Tomorrow we face an iry squad bent on producing maximum bass at all frequencies. We must hold our own, defend our territory, and be done in 30 minutes and not a minute longer.
stay tuned for more updates as they occur...
over and out
anonymous
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Live City Highlight
Last night an act took our stage that completely took me off guard here at Live City Yaletown. I have become fairly jaded these past few days mixing four or five acts a night and was expecting last night to be much of the same. I was mistaken as Colin James put on a great guitar clinic and blues / rock show to close off the night. It was however the act that was on before him that really took me by surprise.
Born and raised in Toronto before calling Halifax home, and now a resident of Vancouver, singer songwriter and chanteuse Jill Barber won me over last night.
Engaging, flirtatious, and a voice that carried through the evening here in downtown Vancouver. Jill Barber and her band of dynamic and complimentary musicians have become my festival highlight thus far.
I strongly urge you to check out the website
http://www.jillbarber.com/
Born and raised in Toronto before calling Halifax home, and now a resident of Vancouver, singer songwriter and chanteuse Jill Barber won me over last night.
Engaging, flirtatious, and a voice that carried through the evening here in downtown Vancouver. Jill Barber and her band of dynamic and complimentary musicians have become my festival highlight thus far.
I strongly urge you to check out the website
http://www.jillbarber.com/
Live City Yaletown Photos (pt 1)
Finally i have come across a few spare minutes to share some of the photos i have taken during my time being held hostage here at the Livecity Yaletown concert stage. I must say that working 25 days straight is not necessary something i would recommend, but all in all it has been a really positive experience thus far. With 5 days remaining the sun has finally disappeared and the rain as begun. The weather may not have been great for the conditions on the mountains , but it has been heaven for us working outdoors. The following are a few photos I will share with you promising to post more when this is all over.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Day 16
Today is February the 19th and also the 16th day in a row that i have been working for the Olympic Mainstage.
I am enjoying being a part of the whole celebration, but i must say i am beginning to be over it. In fact i am a bit of a broken man at the moment. My reoccurring and nagging back injury has flared up again and i am in some serious pain. To say thank you to my fellow crew members would not be enough. THey have really helped me out these past few days and continue to be of great assistance. IN fact today they made me a stick that i am using to assist in mobility. It really is annoying this injury i have and must get properly diagnosed before it ends up crippling me.
I am getting the overall feeling that most people in production down here who are working as many hours as I am are also over the whole thing. It doesnt help to hear all the negative press and nit picking the reporters are writing on in regards to the games and my city of Vancouver.
The weather may not be cooperating on the mountains for the various events, but i must say this has been the most beautiful February that comes to mind in recent memory. Down here in Yaletown for our concert stage the sun has been shining brightly all day long keeping spirits up and somewhat jovial. Honestly if it was raining everyday i would have probably called it quits by now...okay maybe not.
Yesterday, day 15 we finally even got a heater on my side of the stage. With the clear skies and beautiful days comes cold evenings and nights on stage left. No more though as we created the axis of heaters and now monitor world is a hot spot and hot attraction. Its amazing how many people hang out in your area of the stage when its warm, clean, and friendly! I have an open door policy over here so come on over, warm up, and leave a donation on your way out! ha.
The security line ups for staff have been nonexsistant since the first couple of days. In fact i dont think they really care at all anymore..ha! Like i said, i get the feeling that everyone is fastly approaching their breaking point with this whole thing. As much as i love all styles of music, artists, and the consistant work. My "give a fuck" meter is all but turned off. I still take care of everyone that hits this stage and nobody goes home unhappy.
I am enjoying being a part of the whole celebration, but i must say i am beginning to be over it. In fact i am a bit of a broken man at the moment. My reoccurring and nagging back injury has flared up again and i am in some serious pain. To say thank you to my fellow crew members would not be enough. THey have really helped me out these past few days and continue to be of great assistance. IN fact today they made me a stick that i am using to assist in mobility. It really is annoying this injury i have and must get properly diagnosed before it ends up crippling me.
I am getting the overall feeling that most people in production down here who are working as many hours as I am are also over the whole thing. It doesnt help to hear all the negative press and nit picking the reporters are writing on in regards to the games and my city of Vancouver.
The weather may not be cooperating on the mountains for the various events, but i must say this has been the most beautiful February that comes to mind in recent memory. Down here in Yaletown for our concert stage the sun has been shining brightly all day long keeping spirits up and somewhat jovial. Honestly if it was raining everyday i would have probably called it quits by now...okay maybe not.
Yesterday, day 15 we finally even got a heater on my side of the stage. With the clear skies and beautiful days comes cold evenings and nights on stage left. No more though as we created the axis of heaters and now monitor world is a hot spot and hot attraction. Its amazing how many people hang out in your area of the stage when its warm, clean, and friendly! I have an open door policy over here so come on over, warm up, and leave a donation on your way out! ha.
The security line ups for staff have been nonexsistant since the first couple of days. In fact i dont think they really care at all anymore..ha! Like i said, i get the feeling that everyone is fastly approaching their breaking point with this whole thing. As much as i love all styles of music, artists, and the consistant work. My "give a fuck" meter is all but turned off. I still take care of everyone that hits this stage and nobody goes home unhappy.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
underlying tone of unrest
What i failed to mention in my last entry was that tonight's crowd was young, rowdy, and pumped up for Alexis On Fire. There was a feeling of unrest in the air that we all sensed on the crew. I watched as the five band members stood beside me on stage left waiting for the cue to the stage. They were in a huddle and like a team before a game had a big group chant and were full of energy and ready to kick some yaletown ass! I watched the drummer , who was wearing shorts and a tshirt by the way...(I am in a parka), sprint towards his drumkit with full force and an energy unmatched by anyone who had previously hit our stage. The rest of the band followed and the first song kicked in with full power and serious assault. At about 30 seconds into this first number the barricade in the front of the stage gave way to the 8000 kids from back to front trying to push forward. George, the screamer singer in the band immediatey stopped his band and medical staff along with security rushed to the scene to tend to the the injured and try to restore order.
In all my years in the business i have never witnessed anything like this happen. It could have been alot worse and we should all thank someone that it was not. A number of years back in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival the same situation occurred during a Pearl Jam performance and several fatalities took place.
During the moments after the band stopped playing and crew were on the stage as well as the ground trying to help people , it felt like the situation could go either way at any minute. We all knew right at that moment that the show was over but remained worried about the reaction of the crowd when they found out this news.
George from Alexis on fire took control of the microphone and the situation about 10 minutes after the collapse. Informing the crowd that we are all Canadians and that we have love and respect for one another. He stated the obvious in that due to an unsafe situation and the injured people the show could not go on. Through a bit of boos and profanities as well as objects being thrown at the stage, he went on to say that the band would come out and sign autographs and speak to every person in the audience if thats what it would take for everyone to remain calm and understand the severity of the situation. He promised that they will come back and perform a show and that the last thing they wanted was to not play right now.
I was completley blown away by his professionalism and his heartfelt sympathy at the situation.
I hope this is not another black mark on our games as they seem to be adding up ....
for more information check out
http://ow.ly/189y4
In all my years in the business i have never witnessed anything like this happen. It could have been alot worse and we should all thank someone that it was not. A number of years back in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival the same situation occurred during a Pearl Jam performance and several fatalities took place.
During the moments after the band stopped playing and crew were on the stage as well as the ground trying to help people , it felt like the situation could go either way at any minute. We all knew right at that moment that the show was over but remained worried about the reaction of the crowd when they found out this news.
George from Alexis on fire took control of the microphone and the situation about 10 minutes after the collapse. Informing the crowd that we are all Canadians and that we have love and respect for one another. He stated the obvious in that due to an unsafe situation and the injured people the show could not go on. Through a bit of boos and profanities as well as objects being thrown at the stage, he went on to say that the band would come out and sign autographs and speak to every person in the audience if thats what it would take for everyone to remain calm and understand the severity of the situation. He promised that they will come back and perform a show and that the last thing they wanted was to not play right now.
I was completley blown away by his professionalism and his heartfelt sympathy at the situation.
I hope this is not another black mark on our games as they seem to be adding up ....
for more information check out
http://ow.ly/189y4
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