 |
 Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies plays at the John Labatt Centre last night. (KEN WIGHTMAN, LFP) |
LONDON - The didn't need $1 million to buy anyone's love last night.
Canada's quirky pop stars had the love of 4,000 fans attending their sold-out Christmas and Hanukkah show at the RBC Theatre at the John Labatt Centre.
It was their hit If I Had $1,000,000 that brought fame to the Ladies 15 years ago and got the crowd rocking last night.
The quintessential Canadian band, which is made up of Tyler Stewart, Ed Robertson, Steven Page, Kevin Hearn and Jim Creeggan, had the joint laughing and cheering during their Barenaked For the Holidays show.
Drummer Stewart, a hockey fan, was in London last May for the Memorial Cup. Of course, the band talked hockey.
"You guys built a little rink," Page said.
|
"Go Knights, go," Robertson yelled.
Whimsical and witty, the Ladies didn't really put on a concert. It was an event, with antics ongoing.
"Welcome to the stage -- Sarah McLachlan," Robertson said early in the show.
The band turned to look at the stage door to their right, but nobody appeared.
"You have to admit, that would have been pretty cool," said Robertson, who had pulled one on the audience.
But a rising star did turn up to surprise the crowd.
Canadian Idol finalist Aaron Walpole of Talbotville appeared after Page left the stage for a "washroom break" and Robertson asked if anyone could sing.
Walpole sauntered out and performed Break Your Heart to a standing ovation.
While surprises, banter and fun were part of the package last night, there were also lots of moments when band members showed just how good they are musically.
From Kevin Hearn playing a fabulous mandolin to Page belting out a soulful Silent Night -- complete with a cracking voice on the high notes for more fun -- the group was in prime form.
The critic-proof Ladies sang traditional carols, such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, mixed with mega hits such as Brian Wilson, One Week and Pinch Me.
Santa Claus, just off his float in the parade last night, joined in, playing shakers.
St. Mary's school choir joined the Ladies as well, playing three holiday songs with the band and two on its own.
Hannukah, Oh Hannukah was a particularly rousing performance by the choir and band.
"This is a song you always sing at a Catholic school," Page said to much laughter.
The Ladies have a break now until mid-December when they play in Vancouver.
Opening for the Toronto-based Ladies last night was Juno winner Buck 65, a hip-hopper who crosses genres to include rock, blues and even folk music.
The Halifax-area native, whose real name is Rich Terfry, received the most response with The Centaur, a song off his 2003 album, Vertex.