Edgefest 2011

This past weekend I went to Edgefest 2011 at Downsview Park.

To be totally honest with you there weren't that many bands that interested me, but when I saw that Rise Against was headlining that was enough to lure me in. We arrived at Downsview Park around 3pm and walked around checking out the place. Some people wanted to go see the Arkells so we stood and watched a bit of the show before Jordan and I decided we'd leave and go get beer and merch. The lines were really short for both. Jordan snagged two t-shirts.

They're kind of wrinkled here because I tied them up around my bag. But if there is one piece of advice I can give to you concert-going ladies, it is this - cross bodies are saviours! They're big enough that you can throw in your wallet/phone/keys/valuables but small and light enough that you won't be annoying other people when you're in the crowd.

We made our way back into the crowd for Tokyo Police Club. I love these guys! This is the second time I've seen them (first time was with Two Door Cinema Club at the Kool Haus). Their songs are really short so at times it does feel like their sets are really long, but I'm not complaining.

Afterwards we went back out to grab more beer and some dinner. We hung out in the shade listening to The Weakerthans, refilled our water bottles and lined up for free popcorn at the Scene tent. The autograph tent was right beside us and we were standing right beside Dave Monks (lead singer of TPC)! I totally wanted a picture but was way too shy/felt dorky so I didn't ask but still. I was there. And so was he. And Jordan can confirm this story.

As The Weakerthans were playing their last song we made our way into the crowd again. We got super close to the stage because we really wanted to see A Perfect Circle, and judging by the reaction of the crowd so did everyone else. We stood beside this other cool couple where the chick was explaining to me that the secret was to stuff joints in your bra, and the dude smoked up Jordan. Fun stuff.

Thankfully we were standing close to the security rail because when A Perfect Circle started playing the mosh pit started to our left and we were getting shoved around. This is why you need to wear shoes and not sandals. Your feet will get stepped on and you will want to kill the assholes who are drunk and shoving through the crowds but at the same time you are super thankful that you're not that person who wore flip flops or sandals. Nevertheless, they sounded amazing! I'm not a long time fan like most of the crowd that day but I'm definitely going to make more of an effort to listen to them.

Waiting for Rise Against, we snagged a spot by the railing as people were leaving and lucky for us, because it was so hot I felt I could barely breathe. Turning to my left it was just the stench of melded bodies in summer heat and the dirt that was kicking around was ridiculous. I swear when I got home and showered there was just a layer of dirt on my face and body. Any who turning to my right there was nobody but security and press. While looking through photos on my camera someone's beer cup collided with my screen. And the security guard kicked a plastic beach ball and it skidded off my arm. It happens.

Rise Against came on and as expected, they sounded great. They played a good mix of songs from their new album and their older albums. They also performed "Swing Life Away," which made me super happy. I was really hoping they'd play "Midnight Hands," "This Is Letting Go," or "Injection," but whatever. By this time it was around 9pm, the sun had set and the sound was great, so it really didn't matter.

Afterwards we made our way back to the car and waited for the parking lot to empty. I had a massive headache from being completely dehydrated and out in the sun all day. We sat and listened to the radio for the traffic report and I took some painkillers and ate a lollipop to feel better. I didn't drink that day, which was why I was driving. Everyone else had had beers, and I had even gotten a wrist band and held people's beers for them (I'm so nice), but I didn't drink. Partly because I had minor surgery only a few days ago; partly because I never felt like I needed to drink during shows or concerts.

We got home in 30 minutes thanks to the roads being clear and slightly manic driving of mine, I showered, passed out and awoke the next morning to go to work.