Shipwrecked: Hedley Make Their Way to Toronto

Call me biased because I'm a fan, but I have never been disappointed with a performance by Hedley. I've seen them MANY times over the last seven (yes SEVEN) years and I always come out with a big smile. Maybe it's because their music has been there when others haven't, or when tough times really got me down, but I've come to love these guys like I've ever loved any other band.

This last minute concert (literally... I found out six hours before I was supposed to be there), was definitely not a disappointment. While I missed the opening acts, Hedley made up for that with an upbeat, energetic and sincere performance that had all 6000+ girls - and some guys of course - screaming (and probably crying) for their 95 minute set last night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Where I was seated I had a full view of the ACC and ALL the fans that were accumulated there. While it was only the Lower Bowl seating plan, it was filled to the brim and full of passionate, and loving Hedley fans. It was amazing to see the camaraderie, the love and the excitement that filled the arena. Signs were everywhere, some including "It's my FIRST concert", and "I love Hedley". As much as I've been with them since the beginning, I love to see all the new (and younger) fans who have come to love them as much as I do. As much as I don't like sharing with people, the world needs to look out because Hedley is going to wash up on their doorstep.

As another reviewer at toronto.com states, they leaned heavily on their recent album when it came to performing songs. Well...duh. The tour is called "Shipwrecked" and focuses on their 2011 release of Storms. The album focuses mainly on inspirational lyrics and music while providing soulful ballads and upbeat songs that will definitely have you dancing on your feet. Focusing on their singles One Life and Invisible as well as songs such as Hot Mess, Bullet for your Dreams, Beautiful, Heaven's Gonna Wait, and Darling (I Won't Let You Go). My favourite part of the evening (even though they did sing my fave Never Too Late), was the fabulous performance of All You Get is Sound. Watching the stage as well as the big screen, you could tell that Jake Hoggard was putting a lot of passion behind the lyrics. It was soulful and sweet.

Keeping to their roots though they filled the arena with favourites like 321 (opening song), On My Own and Trip. Adding favourites like For the Night I Can't Remember, Never Too Late and Old School rounded up the evening and making it a fun-filled show.

They are currently finishing up their tour after a week off and some postponed shows due to Jake becoming sick and unable to perform. They're onto some western dates before hitting up Toronto and Ottawa again for Canadian Music Week (ChumFM's Fanfest) and then the 2012 Juno Awards where they are nominated for 4 Juno awards as well as performing once again for the second year in a row. They'll go back to Quebec and Eastern Canada to make-up their missed dates and make their loyal fans extremely happy! I'm sure the summer will bring lots of exciting Hedley moments and I'm pleased to find out that Hedley will kick of the summer with opening for Weezer at Brantford's HockeyFest in early June! I can't wait to spend the weekend with the boys as well as some amazing musical acts!

Keep Calm and Play Hedley
Taryn

To find out more info about their tour, head to their website or follow them on twitter! (@tommymac1, @daverosin, @jacobhoggard, @chriscrippin)