Billy Talent LIVE! By Kate Mukasa

In an industry of auto-tune and synth vocals, Billy Talent is a refreshing dose of raw, powerful, unapologetic rock. And they certainly did not disappoint as they owned the stage in Penticton. It was the first time these guys have played here, and thousands of grateful fans moshed, crowed surfed, head banged, and rocked out for the entire duration of their almost 90 minute set.

 

But things started warming up up way before Billy Talent frontman, Ben Kowalewicz jumped on stage. Opening act Alexisonfire powered through an impressive 9 song set list in just 40 minutes! Intense, loud, and inciting, those 40 minutes set the stage for what was to be a tireless night of pure rock indulgence. From the time the curtain dropped to reveal Billy Talent, that energy never wavered.

 

Opening with the explosive song Devil in a Midnight Mass, from their sophomore album Billy Talent II, the band continued at pace with songs from all three albums.

 

Kowalewicz only seemed to take a breather just before their 4th song, when he put a Sidney Crosby Team Canada Hockey shirt on. Much to the crowds delight saying, “Just in case you forgot...”

 

The breather didn’t last long as they jumped right into Rusted from the Rain, the Juno nominated song from their new album, Billy Talent III.

In fact Billy talent is nominated for 4 Juno awards including group of the year and album of the year. If there was an award for most enthusiastic live performance, there’s no doubt, the guys from Billy Talent would be strong contenders.

 

Although the acoustics in the venue were not ideal, the band made up for less than perfect sound with their tireless performance. And whoever had a hand in the lighting of the show deserves just as much credit, as the flashes and strobes synced perfectly with the high voltage music, creating not just a concert, but a real show.

 

Billy Talent’s set list included original favorites from their first album such as River Below and Nothing to lose. But it was the songs played from their most recent album that was the real highlight of the night.

 

Kowalewicz got sentimental when he explained the somber story behind the song White Sparrows, and dedicated it to “anyone who has lost somebody in their lives...”

It’s one they don’t play often, confessed Kowalewicz, before launching into the highly personal song. But even when playing White Sparrows, Billy Talent never forgot their modern punk rock style.

 

From there, the anthem sounding The Dead Can’t Testify, started with a thrilling and dramatic intro and marched on with two more songs from the new album.

The set concluded with the hit Try Honesty.

 

But as anyone who has ever been to a rock concert knows, the band saves the best for last. After returning to the stage for the standard three song encore set, Billy Talent took the crowd up another notch with the song everyone was waiting for, Devil on my Shoulder.

 

Although the band played songs from all three their albums, it’s clear why Billy Talent III is nominated for so many awards. The boys of Billy Talent have matured over the six years since their first album and it shows both in their performance style and in the meaty punk rock songs that make up this recent album.

 

If the fans of Penticton expected a wild performance with unrelenting energy, they left more than satisfied and surely hopeful that Kowalewicz keeps his promise of returning in the future.

 

The band continues their tour moving East where they play shows non-stop until the 28th of March when they play In Toronto before heading to Europe for a summer tour.

 

Billy Talent Set List:

1. Devil in a Midnight Mass - Billy Talent II (2006)

2. This Suffering - Billy Talent II (2006)

3. Line and Sinker - Billy Talent (2003)

4. Rusted from the Rain - Billy Talent III (2009)

5. Saint Veronika - Billy Talent III (2009)

6. Surrender - Billy Talent II (2006)

7.  River Below - Billy Talent (2003)

8. White Sparrows - Billy Talent III (2009)

9. The Dead Can’t Testify - Billy Talent III (2009)

10. Diamond on a Landmine - Billy Talent III (2009)

11. Turn Your Back - Billy Talent III (2009)

12. Nothing to Lose - Billy Talent (2003)

13. The Ex - Billy Talent (2003)

14. Try Honesty - Billy Talent (2003)

 

Encore:

1. Devil on my Shoulder - Billy Talent III (2009)

2. Fallen Leaves - Billy Talent II (2006)

3.  Red Flag - Billy Talent II (2006)