Crewfest rocked Lions Park in Brantford Friday and Saturday with an international flavor in the audience.
Advertisement 2
Article content
“It’s going great, the weather’s been amazing,” said Jamie Stephens, from the Crewfest Music Festival, on Saturday. “We had like Biblical amounts of rain a few nights before, which was very nerve-racking, but having the clouds part and the sun come out has been awesome – very awesome.”
Stephens said they had just over 6,000 people Friday night and Saturday’s attendance was on target for an 8,000 person sellout.
“The diehards are in line an hour before the gates open, and they all come to the front and park themselves at the front for the full day,” Stephens said. “People come in throughout the day, then there’s a rush at the gate, usually (around 7-7:30 pm). Everyone is usually in the park by around 8-9.”
And they come from all over the world, he said, including California, Texas, Australia, UK, Germany and, this year, United Arab Emirates.
Advertisement 3
Article content
“It’s one of the coolest things about doing this – it’s seeing where everyone comes from.”
Frank Wellwood, nicknamed Crewfest’s ‘Superfan,’ flew in from Comox, British Columbia.
“He came last year, stood front and center all day, and we gave him a lifetime pass. He’s crazy,” Stephens laughed.
“Cause I was rocking hard last year,” said Wellwood, known for his distinctive dinosaur costume. “I was up front for Bif Naked, Headstones, Our Lady Peace, and the band LIVE. It was awesome! The lineup was just so amazing. It was a total 90s era, nostalgia lineup that year you just wouldn’t see again. It was one night you couldn’t pass up.”
On Saturday he was enjoying – and looking forward to – Otherwives, Junkhouse, Sloan, The Trews, and Goo Goo Dolls. Friday’s lineup featured the Headstones, Big Wreck, Buckcherry, and Sumo CYCO.
Advertisement 4
Article content
“Love them all,” Wellwood said. “It’s a different type of 90s music – it was a little heavier last night, a little mellower tonight, but still all rockin’.”
“We come every year, absolutely,” said Steve Heczko from Burlington, attending the festival with Nicole Renaud. “It’s the bands – always.”
Heczko wasn’t sure who was his favorite at the festival, but figured it would be Goo Goo Dolls.
“I don’t know yet,” he laughed. “Ask me about yesterday. . . I am a massive Headstones fan, but Big Wreck, they are so good. Last night we were up at the front and we will move up again tonight.”
“I love Sloan,” said Renaud, dancing to the legendary Canadian rock band, but admitted Goo Goo Dolls were her Crewfest favorites. “They (Goo Go Dolls) have so many good songs, like a thousand million.”
Advertisement 5
Article content
Steve and Dana Racine from Westmeath, near Pembroke, set up lawn chairs at 3 pm in the front row of the ‘chair section’ for their first Crewfest.
“We love the 90s music and concerts – we go all over, we chase them down,” said Steve, looking forward to the Goo Goo Dolls.
“They (Goo Goo Dolls) are on my bucket list,” agreed Dana.
“I love the setup here,” said Steve. “Just the way it is, the casualness of it. It’s awesome.”
Crewfest lineups have contributed to the festival’s success over its eight years, both on the main stage and side stage, said Stephens.
“The side stage features all local and regional acts,” Stephens noted. “It’s just our way of giving back to the community, supporting the local music scene. It’s hard to pick who goes on it because everyone wants to play it.
Advertisement 6
Article content
“I think we set realistic expectations. I think we have a good read on the market and who our fan base is. And honestly, it’s the people we have that work with us – a lot of the people volunteer their time in the months leading up to the show, everyone has a role. Then it’s just organized chaos to pull it off.”
Crewfest has a committee of about 15 along with approximately 60 volunteers. In addition to renting the Boys and Girls facility at Lions Park, which helps supports BGC programs, Crewfest planned to donate a portion of its parking proceeds to the Telephone City Musical Society, Brantford’s oldest civilian band, established in 1919.
Article content