Edgefest 2008 – Downsview Park

Jake Parsonson — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:48:01 +0000

This past weekend The Ongoing Music Documentary attended Edgefest ’08 at Downsview Park to see bands such as Attack in Black, The Flatliners, Hostage Life, Sam Roberts, Linkin Park and of course The Stone Temple Pilots.

This was my first time seeing a show at Downsview Park and I would have to say that the location is quite ideal. The Main Stage was situated facing a large open area with a raised lip around the back outer rim like a coliseum. This allowed for a great view from far back and with approximately 15,000 music enthusiasts attending this years festivities, the added vantage point was key. Although there was some minor reverb off the building across from the stage the sound quality was prime.

The location of the Second Stage (where all the best bands played) was key. Stage two was located right by the entrance and slightly beside the main stage. I believed this helped with traffic for the littler known bands as every person entering the venue had to first walk past a band they maybe didn’t know in order to get to the Main Stage.

I would also like to make mention that although the most “professional” bands couldn’t seem to be on time for anything, the event as a whole was scheduled beautifully allowing for an attendee to see EVERY band play.

Unlike most large summer festivals Edgefest actually had GOOD FOOD for sale! A wide variety of vegetarian and meat products were sold from falafel to Philly cheese steak on a bun.

On the downside, the location of Downsview is anything but ideal for mass amounts of public transportation traffic and the limited road access is terrible for the flood of cars leaving after the show. Even with predicted rain, concert goers were not allowed to bring in umbrellas. (It only rained for about 40 minutes mid day).

The line-up to get into the beer garden was as long as I presume the line for the latest Wonderland coaster and moving at the same speed. The line was so long I thought they were giving away free beer.

Check out the footage and interviews we shot!

Attack in Black

The Flatliners

Hostage Life

Finally, 102.1 The Edge has a section on their website for people who attended this years Edgefest to submit their own personal reviews, photos, and videos. I think this is an awesome interactive idea that can only further the popularity and success of Edgefest’s to come.

Click the banner below to submit your reviews, photos, etc.

Attack in Black – The Love Between You And I

Christien Paul, Director — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:26:16 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video]

Weather Conditions

So this year’s weather was rainy, muddy, but nonetheless a ton of fun for the young souls who could enjoy the moment with some mud sliding as if the wet grass was a Crocodile Mile matte. However, when Attack in Black played Edgefest 2006, poor old Dan woke up in the hospital the following day. Perhaps he had too much to drink or not enough. With the blazing sun and fierce stage lights, the stage floor paint was melting making for a slippery experience on stage like a pool of blood. At least they moved from the side stage to the main stage this time around.

I suppose we can all learn from the two extreme weather conditions of the past two Edgefests. Umbrella’s were not permitted inside the park, apparently too many people have lost their eye balls in previous years. Other prohibited items included lawn chairs and any drinks. All of which make for a difficult preparation to enjoying an outdoor show.

Inside the park, drinks and ponchos were sold, so in light of this fact, you might want to leave some of your things at home and reserve some cash for key elements, such as bottled water or ponchos. On a blazing sunny day, let’s hope they’ll let us bring sun screen, cause we always enjoy the sun until we feel it’s sting afterwards.

Attack in Black’s performance of “The Love Between You And I” was almost too good to splice up with an interview. There is something so compelling about their stage presence that the world around them grows silent listening intently to singer/guitarist Dan, a brilliant lyricist;

the passing of the time we killed when we were young
the archives of our blessed few
and all that they’ve done wrong or haven’t done at all

As a mid twenty year old, Dan has a few years of wisdom and is close enough in age to share a similar perspective as today’s youth. I think of my own life with the above lyrics marked in bold and can relate feeling that I’ve lost some time dwelling on the things that happened in relationships and in my family.

This summer I’ve learned the meaning of vanity. That I have been blessed with so much to enjoy but lacked the ability to enjoy them. Seeing the cup as half empty rather than half full disabled me from being able to enjoy the moment despite weather conditions (like the kids who mud slide in the rain). Rain or shine, it’s all in what you make of it and how you prepare.

This video along with the Hostage Life video & The Flatliners video (also from Edgefest 2008) is currently featured on the Edgefest website, so if youâ€™re an inside edge member and a fan of this band, go rate the video and share it with friends.

Come What May
Young Leaves
Hunger of the Young
Inches and Ages
Marriage
If All I Thought Were true
Broken Things
Footprints
Love Between You and I
Northern Towns
Husbands
Crimes and Church Bells

For more information about Attack in Black or to found out where they’ll be next, visit www.attackinblack.com

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Edgefest 2008 – Downsview Park

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