Not By Choice
Not By Choice opened the show with a great set. I had only heard about the band a few weeks before the show, so I thought if I’m going to be seeing them, I might as well familiarize myself with some of their music. I have to admit I didn’t think that the songs I got a hold of were all that great. When they took the stage, I was genuinely surprised. They were awesome. Their instruments and voices sounded wonderful. They had great stage presence and really got the crowd moving.
Simple Plan
Simple Plan took the stage after Not By Choice. Already on great festival tours like Edgefest, Snowjam and the Vans Warped Tour, these Montreal boys had done a great job previous to this show of getting their music and name to the public. Personally having already seen the guys at Edgefest and Snowjam, I knew I was in for an amazing set. They played 8 songs in total, the three songs from their demo, four songs from their upcoming album, and their Christmas track, "My Christmas List" from MTV’s TRL Christmas Compilation CD. The guys are always full of energy on stage and do a great job of keeping the crowd involved in the essence of punk/pop. Simple Plan walk around after all the shows signing autographs and taking picture with their appreciative fans. These guys have not let fame go to their heads and with hard work and determination, this group could go straight to the top.
Sum 41
Sum 41 was the main act. Sum’s CD is great, with tracks like "Fat Lip", "In Too Deep", "Motivation" and a crowd favourite, "Pain For Pleasure". Dave’s amazing guitar talents definitely help the band’s sound. I’ve seen Sum 41 live three times before the Edge Electric Christmas. The first show was great, at a small intimate venue before the guys gained popularity. The second time I saw them was at Edgefest, at the Molson Ampitheater which is an outside venue. Deryck’s voice was low and it sounded like he was having trouble projecting. I thought it might not have sounded all that good because it was outside but after I saw them at Snowjam I realized it was just how he sang. Thank God that the studio helps him out because life his voice is torture. Not only are you tortured by Deryck’s voice at a show, but you also have to survive the moshing and the extremely boring downtimes between songs. Personally, I don’t want some ignorant, stuck-up 20-year-old telling me to shut up so he can tune his guitar. They’ve let fame go to their heads and have no consideration for their fans.