When Gord Bamford announced his Honky Tonk & Dive Bars Tour I knew it was going to be incredible. I was able to review and photograph his show in Lethbridge at Average Joe’s Sports Bar.
Jenn chatted with Gord back in September about his tour and he said “IT ALL STARTED IN A HONKYTONK OR A DIVE BAR AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GRASS ROOTS TYPE OF ARTIST WHO IS VERY MUCH IN THE BELIEF OF “DON’T FORGET WHERE YOU COME FROM”. I THINK THIS “UNDERPLAY” TOUR WE ARE ABOUT TO GO ON MIGHT BE THE MOST EXCITED I HAVE BEEN FOR A TOUR, ITS GOING BACK TO THE PLACES AND PEOPLE THAT HELPED BUILD GORD BAMFORD’S CAREER AND SUCCESS TO DATE”.
He opened up his own headlining show with a few songs to get the crowds feet moving after his band got everyone pumped up with a quick intro while Gord came on stage. He had the crowd fired up and everyone including myself sang along to his songs including, Neon Smoke, Stayed ’til two, and Red Dress. He then slowed it down with Don’t Let Her Be Gone before turning the stage over to JoJo Mason.
JoJo’s set was amazing. He is fun, very engaging with the crowd and has an incredible voice. He performed his new single “Future” and ended his set with “Something to wrap my heart around”. Gord came back on stage and performed “Groovin'” with JoJo as a transition back to his set which was amazingly smooth and entertaining.
In the middle of Gord’s second set he had his tour manager come up on stage and sing a song. He was great and super entertaining.
Jade Eagleson came on to perform a set, first time seeing him perform live and he was great. He ended his set with “Workin’ Man Blues”.
The entire band ended the show with a BANG. They were fantastic as they performed “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. They had no fiddle but the two guitarists KILLED IT.
Overall, Gord, JoJo and Jade were amazing. If they are coming to a city near you… jump on it and go see them. It is a show for everyone.
Review & Photographs by Makayla Grover.
