Concert goers gathered at RBC’s Echo Beach to enjoy an evening with local success story Sum 41, along with Grandson and Seaway.

Jordan Edward Benjamin AKA Grandson performs at RBC Echo Beach. Photo by Sue Hebert.

Toronto raised, Los Angeles based singer Jordan Edward Benjamin, better know as Grandson wowed the crowd with his unique vocal style and never ending energy!

Initially, before pursuing his music career he was enrolled at McGill University to become a teacher. He gave up on his studies in 2014 and moved to sunshine coast to pursue a career in music. So many people chase that dream but few manage to achieve it, unlike Jordan. His music isn’t about fluff topics, they dive into serious issues surrounding modern day issues. The track “6:00” is about police brutality, while his popular single “Blood // Water”  (as performed in Toronto) speaks about political corruption. Both songs were performed that evening.

I suspect Grandson will continue to ride the success that he is building for years to come. For more information regarding Grandson’s including upcoming tour dates click HERE.

Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley, Photo by Sue Hebert.

Local success story Sum 41 headlined the evenings events. Just as the show was about to start a large group of people made their way to the side of the stage. With it being a hometown show, I would imagine they were the bands family and friends. An older couple that I could only assume was one of the members parents made their way to the best seats in the house. It was nice to see, however the old school girl in me cringed every time the “FBomb” was dropped that evening! Ha ha ha.

Twenty years ago, high school kids now known as Sum 41, had an opportunity to perform for an EMI rep. That evening would change their lives, inking a deal with Island Records in the process. Whibley goes on to say anything is possible if you try enough. He reminisced at jamming in their basement in Ajax to performing to a great crowd like the one at Echo Beach.

Jason McCaslin, Tom Thacker and Dave Baksh. Photo by Sue Hebert

Whibley barely had to encouraged the crowd to create a mosh pit, the swirl formed quickly, spanning crowd surfers in the midst.

Order of Decline, their 7th studio album was just release July 19, 2019. “Out for Blood” and “A Death in the Family”, two songs from that album would make their way onto the whopping 20 song set list. The crowd ate it up! The rest of the evening songs contained fan favorites like “Machine Gun Summer”, “Fat Lip” and “In to Deep”. They also performed Queens “We Will Rock You” and Pink Floyds “Another Brick in the Wall”.

There is nothing more satisfying to witness a show from a hometown success story. I spent the evening bouncing along with the crowd, releasing pent up energy in the process. That’s the beauty of a great show, it’s a stress buster, even if only for a few hours. The crowd was absorbing the moment. with huge smiles on their face. It was a great show. I am glad I had the opportunity to cover the evenings events.

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