Concert. Amazing. Second time typing this (since computer froze mid-way through).

First band: Shades Apart. These guys are amazingly talented and completely solid musicians. The lead guitarist performed feats of aerobics with his fingers on the strings while managing to sing with a captivating voice. The bassist was equally astonishingly talented; playing a loud, driving bassline that drowned out the lead guitar often during the songs played. The drummer kept time perfectly and imbelished the song further with the use of his symbols. Not to mention that he was hot... Oh, I didn't? Well he was. Beginning of the set he had a red top (which looks suspiciously like one I bought a week ago) over a wife beater. Third song starts and the top comes off. Fifth song and the wife beater goes bye bye, exposing his impressive build. Ahem.

Only knew one of their songs ("Valentine") but I'm completely feeling their sound now. Oh yeah.

Headliner: Our Lady Peace. Gee, did I really like em much? Hell yeah! There was a screen behind the drum set that played the freaky visuals from their video for "In Repair" repeatedly while at points excerpts from the book "Spiritual Machines" were read. (The newest cd by OLP, also by the name "Spiritual Machines," was nurtured and inspired by the message of that book.)

Mike, lead guitar, was amazing. Guitar solos were played beautifully and he sustained single notes with one strum for the length of a bible. He also had enough skill at the guitar to cut loose and have fun a bit; playing while spinning, jumping, can-caning (at one point), and constantly played the crowd at his feet to gain more and more screams of adoration.

However, the true magnet of the band was leead singer and seducter Raine Maida. Beforehand, I knew that Raine got into his music a lot from seeing all the concert footage and photos... But they were nothing compared to seeing him live. Often he was leaning on the mic stand singing with abandon and resting his head as the guitar solos kicked in. At points he even forgot that there was a crowd of fanatics infront of him and he's start singing to the ground, the amps, the monitors, drumsets, etc. and then turn around to see exactly how crowded the place was. My god he was... well, a god. Or rather a man possessed by the god which is music. Damn.

Another reason for liking OLP is their down-to-earth attitude. Although they've already made it very big (in Canada, not so much in the US) they never forgot to thank the fans. And they did that so many times this night. After the first two songs, the band took a moment to replace guitars and Raine said something to the effect of "I'm surprised there're so many people here. It's been forever since we've been to Las Vegas." So many times during a song, Raine would stop singing and the crowd filled in the silence at his microphone. At the very end of their set, everyone started chanting "Peace" which made them come out again for an encore song. He started playing "Starseed" when, not three words into the song, he stopped and asked the crowd if they wanted to sing. 'Course, everyone screamed yes so he turned the mic around to face the crowd and played guitar while the voices of hundreds sang the song. At the end Raine said: "This is why we make music. And why we have the best fucking fans ever!" More screams.

Side Report: The Crowd. This has to have been one of the nicest concerts I've been too. (keep in mind I've only been to punk/hard rock concerts) Until the last half of OLP I had almost two or three inches of breathing room. No one was pushing, no one was moshing... but no one was head banging or jumping to the music either. And there wasn't anyone to lean on if your feet got tired so I stood till I couldn't feel the ground anymore. Even then I stayed up. There were so many hot guys at this particular concert. (none who took off their shirts though, which sucked) One boy in particular I watched throughout the concert. He stood at the very front (I was about second row) and wore a cap with a white oxford over a grey shirt. And completely charming. During the break between sets sis and I were talking about the boy almost directly behind his back and declared our ways to attract his attention. She's simply kiss his ear while I'd ask to feel his ass and grab hard when he says yes... or when he says no too. He left midway through OLP though so that sucked.

There was a group of six or so enthusiastic OLP fans behind sis and I. They seemed to be a really cool group; four guys and two girls. Before the whole concert started two of the guys samba'd to the music they played. Very very cute.

During OLP A large group of Canadians made their way to the center of the room and were constantly waving a Canadian flag. They were obviously drunk... but it was good that they were. Everyone in that group of 30 or so were completely into the music; jumping, screaming, singing along, head banging, etc. They even pushed people closer so that the two inches of breathing room became about negative one... exactly how concerts should be like. The energy from that group spread to everyone, and soon enough people were acting exactly like them.

Well, except for the bitch I stood next to who would rather not be there. Her boyfriend seemed to have loads of fun though.

After the curtains closed, sis and I made our way to the merchandise table where, sure enough, they were selling t-shirts. Got an OLP one for $25 that I'll probably wear... once. Wanted to get a few cd's but didn't have enough money.

Afterwards, went out to meet parents in the parking garage, stopped by Starbucks for a drink, and then came home. And thus here I am now, documenting the entire experience because I didn't bring a camera. Then again, I don't need pictures to remember that event.

... Actually, this was the first concert I came out not feeling pissed. Very refreshing mood.