Everyone remember the lackluster Black Eyed Peas and Kid Rock concerts in Halifax a couple of summers ago. That was the fi rst year in the last decade that Halifax failed to bring a big hit summer concert to Nova Scotia. However, a failed summer concert was well in the making after a couple of poor outcomes at other summer concert events.
Despite the disappointment in recent years, a couple recent successful concerts: Metallica and Summersonic with Rise Against and Ben Harper, have put Halifax back on the summer music scene. Rumors are beginning to spur about this summer and Halifax is looking to compete with Moncton’s Magnetic Hill for the biggest summer concert.
The rumors have become reality for many classic-rock fans as Rush has announced they are going to be returning this summer to Halifax for the fi rst time in 25 years, with their Clockwork Angels Tour. Where is this concert taking place? Well the expected draw for this concert is between 30 and 40 000 concertgoers, making it almost a guarantee on The Commons. When can we hope to see Rush? A rumored list of tour dates puts them here, likely, at the end of July or beginning of August – their tour schedule has a very distinct, Halifax-shaped lack of scheduled dates.
Rush joins Heart and Public Enemy this year in the Rock Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 18. Recent interviews with the group have signifi ed a possible end to the group’s long tenure in rock music – 45 years to be exact. All members of the group citing that age, all of them well into their 60s, is leading them to have diffi culty going out on stage and performing three hour shows, or longer, for four-to-six months out of a year. Despite this saddening news, fans can still expect a spectacular, classic rock show from Rush this year. From lights to guitar and tenminute drum solos to screaming vocals, a Rush concert has it all. If you have been putting off seeing a Rush concert, or haven’t have the chance since they were last in Halifax, this year could be your fi nal chance.
Even with Rush virtually locked down there, is still lots of hope in drawing another one or two concerts for summer 2013. Motley Crue is heavily rumored to be eyeing a concert in the Maritimes this summer, while other bands swept into the whirlwind of rumors, include Mumford and Sons, Eric Clapton and the Dave Matthews Band.
Be prepared to mark some days on your calendar this summer, because the rumors around the Halifax concert scene are slowly heating up this frigid January and one can only imagine what else is in store, I and many other students were not even born the last time Rush was in the Maritimes, so young music afi cionados should get beyond pumped for the show. Recent disappointments aside, Halifax is building up an impressive spring and summer full of music people of all ages and fans of all genres.
