by Yuri Woodfall, Photojournalist – Western Canada, Soundcheck Entertainment
The skies over Edmonton were threatening rain, but inside the KDays fairgrounds, a different kind of storm was brewing. Before Marianas Trench even set foot on stage, the crowd had already been lit up—Hotel Mira kicked off the night with a fiery, high-energy set that set the tone beautifully. Frontman Charlie Kerr was bouncing across the stage like a spark plug in skinny jeans, belting out hits with raw passion. You could tell they were loving every minute of it, and honestly? So were we. Their infectious energy got the growing crowd moving and cheering, priming us for what would become a truly unforgettable night.
And clearly, people knew. The VIP section was completely sold out, and looking across the festival grounds, it was obvious that this crowd was the biggest yet. More people packed into the show than any of the previous nights—Marianas Trench didn’t just headline, they turned KDays into TrenchDays.
They opened with A Normal Life, and the irony was delicious. There was absolutely nothing normal about the energy erupting from the crowd. From the first shimmering notes to the final explosive chorus, the band had Northlands in the palm of their hand.
Without skipping a beat, they launched into Desperate Measures, that seductive, slightly sinister fan-favorite that had everyone clapping and howling. When the tempo slowed slightly for Rhythm of Your Heart, the crowd leaned in, swaying together like waves, and then snapped right back to full-throttle when Lightning and Thunder rolled out—literally and metaphorically. It felt like Josh had bottled the sky’s tension and poured it back out through his vocals.
“I’m feeling this energy tonight,” Ramsay beamed, slick with sweat and charisma. “Edmonton is one of the best cities we’ve ever played. You guys never disappoint. We’re so grateful every time you come out and show up for us like this.” The cheers that followed might’ve registered on the Richter scale.
Cue I’m Not Getting Better, a track that had hands in the air, lights from phones twinkling like stars in a stormy night. The crowd ate it up and asked for seconds.
They then fired off a tongue-in-cheek performance of Here’s to the Zeros, a middle finger to industry norms that hit extra sweet when screamed in a festival setting. It flowed smoothly into the hauntingly beautiful One Love, a moment of reflection that gave goosebumps even to the teenagers who showed up just to scream “Celebrity Status.”
All to Myself kicked things back into high gear, the crowd shouting every word like a promise. But it was Down to You that delivered a quieter, emotional punch—Josh’s vocals piercing through layers of harmonies with clarity and depth. And when Into the Storm hit, the wind literally picked up. Coincidence? Maybe. But it added drama that no lighting rig could ever match.
Mid-set, they unleashed a medley: Cross My Heart, Celebrity Status, and Shake Tramp—a full-on nostalgia rocket that had the entire midway pulsing. Bodies were in motion, camera flashes sparked, and every lyric felt carved into the air.
Nights Like These brought out the soft side again, creating an unspoken bond between the crowd and stage. The band followed it with POP 101, textbook perfection for a crowd that wanted to both party and sing along like they were back in high school gymnasiums.
Then came the fan-service duet moment: Haven’t Had Enough featuring Chris Wong. Ramsay’s chemistry with his bandmates is undeniable, and this track shone like a spotlight on that fact. Not to be outdone, Matt Webb joined in for Who Do You Love, which had fans swooning so hard you could hear gasps between verses.
And then: Worlds Collide. It was as sweeping and cinematic as ever—an emotional gut-punch that hit just right as the sun finally disappeared behind the Ferris wheel. It was followed by a stripped-down moment with Josh alone at the mic, delivering Good to You like a lullaby to 10,000 people.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better? Stutter had everyone jitterbugging in the crowd. And to close it out with fire: Fallout. A thunderous, aching anthem that left the crowd drained but wildly fulfilled.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t just a concert. It was a musical therapy session, a pop-punk revival tent, and a confetti-blasted joyride through two decades of hits. Josh Ramsay’s love letter to Edmonton rang true: this city shows up, and the band gives it right back.
VIP? Sold out.
Crowd? Record-breaking.
Vibes? Immaculate.
Opener? Hotel Mira knocked it out of the park.
They may joke about being “zeros,” but after tonight, they’re clearly still rock royalty.
If you missed it—well, I haven’t had enough either. Here’s hoping they come back before we all fall into the storm.
