On Thursday, March 28 - Billy Talent returned to Winnipeg. The last time they toured in Canada was 2010, and I had to miss that show because of a playoff hockey game. Nevertheless, the boys from Toronto came back and what a show it was!
They opened with Lonely Road to Absolution, the into track to Dead Silence. Ian and Ben stood in front of a huge black curtain and played the slow, rhythmic tune in perfect harmony. Then the curtain falls to the floor (a subtle reference to Cut the Curtains, a song from their first album) and Jon and Aaron come into sight as they kick off Viking Death March. The crowd instantly energized, the mosh pit started to swirl, and the building began to ROCK HARD.
Behind the band, another large curtain featured the artwork from Dead Silence, a massive skull with a large snake circling in and around the skull. Midway through the show, that curtain fell to the floor, and a vintage curtain with BILLY TALENT in large white ink replaced it. The band isn't flashy. No pyrotechnics, no laser shows or costume changes. They rely on Ben, who literally runs around the stage, screams his lungs out, and simply puts on the show of his life, every time he's out there. There's nothing like seeing these guys live. The crowd knows every word to every song and they interact with the the masses as much as they can. One cool addition to the show was two large video screens on the side of the stage. Occasionally, Ben would grab a portable camera and show what his view was like from the stage. The crowd would roar in approval.
Every show I've seen prior to this one, Ben would always rant about how we should have an NHL team. With the Jets back, Ben actually wasn't too pleased! He was angry that we've beat the Leafs in the last two outings. He went so far as to bet the crowd that if the Jets beat the Leafs in the playoffs, Billy Talent would play a free show in Winnipeg. Ian, Jon and Aaron didn't look too impressed.
The band stuck to its roots, playing three tracks from its debut album - Try Honesty, River Below and This is How it Goes and they left the Winnipeg crowd happy with a four-song encore featuring Fallen Leaves, Devil on My Shoulder, Surprise Surprise and Red Flag.
For a band that's been together for 20 years and has four releases, I wonder how much longer they have. Even though they exude what it means to be a band - they care about their music and their fans - you can't go forever. That being said, if Billy Talent rolls through town one more time in the next few years, I suggest you go check them out. They are one of Canada's best.
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