Craig Strickland performs at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa photo Dave DiUbaldo
First up, solo artist Craig Stickland opened the show. With the clarity and emotion of every word he sang, it was easy to get lost in his unique bluesy jazz stylings. Like many Canadian artists these days, Stickland sang a tribute to Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. Being a Kingston girl, I find these tributes especially emotional and inspiring. Craig was no exception. He started the intro to one of my all time favorites, “Bobcaygeon” and I do not think he could have nailed it any better.
Matthew Good performs at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa photo Dave DiUbaldo
At 9pm Good took the stage, and halfway through “Hello Time Bomb”, his followup to opener “Giant”, he had the whole room on it’s feet. Not afraid to interact with the crowd, Good spent his set answering yelled out questions or requests, and running up and down the aisles like a rocker half his age. My favourite was his lesson on when to stand for a song, and when to sit, jumping into the front row and listening to the band himself during “Failing the Rorschach Test”
Matthew Good performs at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa photo Dave DiUbaldo
Deciding to see if he could sing from the lobby, during Suburbia off he went up the aisle, mic in hand. Stopping for fans to take selfies with him on his way up, it was Matthew Good being, well, Matthew Good. Once back on the stage he had a seat on his drummers platform, wet his whistle, and slowed it down with “Lets get it on”.
Matthew Good performs at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa photo Dave DiUbaldo
For an encore they started with “Born to Kill” and “Apparitions”. Everyone was up and singing along. He ended the night with “Weapon”.
