As I wake up from my delightful and delirious musical hangover, I proudly proclaim this years 2008 Nuance Art Rock Festival a MASSIVE SUCCESS (and that is putting it lightly, to say the least!).

The attendance numbers at this years Nuance Festival was about 23,367 … or was that the number of Tylenol’s that I took this morning. Either or, the attendance was not bad considering Steve Howe was playing in Toronto that night. Too bad the organizers could fit him into their line up.

The show is about the coming together and celebrating, as a Prog./Art community, the love of this long forgotten genre of musical alchemy. It showcased some of Canada’s hidden music … Ark of the Covenant like, Progressive Rock giants that still proudly walk amongst mere mortals.

Nuance is the Ark of the Covenant of all musical Festivals!

As I sat there front row center, I was continuously blown away, act after act. I was scribing notes about every little nuance of this communal way of life, and there was lots to write about.

It started off with the perfect emcee to host such an event, the legendary Spaceman Stan! Even this informative and genial host keep you wanting more. Did you know that this local Hall was named after the birth place of none other then Keith Emerson? The organizer Wilton Said sure did his homework!

The line up was immaculate. I can honestly say that for the life of me, or the fate of the western world in general for that matter, could not have pick a better set of bands that truly represented this lost way of life.

LorneHind360 was a fabulous opening act. This guy I couldn’t get enough of. Who the hell needs Jeff Beck when we have Lorne!

Then came, what seemed to be like deep out of the earths musical mantel, Counterpoint. Thanks guys, I couldn’t get Ritual out of my head all night! I think I slept for about maybe 2-3 hours tops! Think about that Youtube video on my original Nuance post, but on speed! Go to the counter number 01:13 – 01:27, that is the type of tunes that they guys were inflicting upon us all evening. It was running around in my head like a freight train all night! These guy are that good. As a young lady whispered into my ear last night “this is the CounterPoint of Cerafim“.

Then came Wilton Said. As my good readership is well a-where-of, I’m honestly not that into lyrics. So here enters Wilton. He and his mates made me physically sit back in my seat and think about what he was talking about, yes my wife, you heard me correctly. As I said, no pun intended, throughout the night, I was writing down anything and everything that entered my mind while taking in the bands. I was aware of how they effected me as a musician and an avid lover of this genre. The only way to express how I feel about this musical encounter is to say … get up off your ass and go see this guy live! Then, maybe you can help me put into words what it is like to be “Said experienced!”

Then to round out a perfect night, Nuanced unleashed The Rebel Wheel. These guys couldn’t play second fiddle to anyone even if they tried… because of the talent that was amassed on stage right in front of us.

As the posts on my blog progress, I will bring a blow by blow of each band on what they played, how it was played in great detail and what they were playing with.

Special acknowledgments goes to Records on Wheels in Dundas, Ontario for their excellent choice of items on sale.

So if you can, try to get advance tickets for next years 2009 Nuance Art Rock Festival. A strict wrist band will be in effect at next years show, so book ahead! First 1000 to show up at the door will get in free admission, I think … don’t quote me.

Keep on Jammin’ Nuance!