Big Spirit shows are ready to roll

Big Spirit shows are ready to roll

Posted 2 years ago

Concert-goers can expect world-class quality from this weekend?s music festival, says a Big Spirit committee member.

Russell Thomas, spokesman for the Big Spirit Music Festival, said that along with major bands including Theory of a Deadman, Collective Soul and Corb Lund, one of the top acoustics companies in Western Canada, Allstar Show Industries, is coming in today to install a top sound system.

?In past concerts (at Thickwood Heights Arena), there have been complaints that the acoustics are really bad,? said Thomas. ?But the sound system they?re putting in would the same as taking it and putting it in Rexall Place -- it?s amazing, top-of-the-line sound equipment and there will also be a great light show. We want people to go away from this event and go ?Oh my God, that was unbelievable.? ?

Thomas said there are still a lot of tickets available for the show, selling for $70 each night. They are being sold at Campbell?s Music, the Jubilee Centre cashier and the Thickwood Heights Community Centre, as well at the door both nights of the event.

Thomas added that people can choose whether they would prefer seating on the floor level or in the stands.

?The way the arena is set up, there are no bad seats at all,? he said.

In response to the cost per ticket, per night, Thomas said a similar show in Edmonton would have many additional expenses including gas, meals, and a possibly a hotel stay.

?It?s still a great value,? said Thomas. ?If two people want to go to both nights, yeah, it?s going to cost them $280, but for the same package, if you had to go to Edmonton, you?d probably be looking at over $1,000.?

The line-up Friday night features Ridley Bent, David Wilcox and headliner Corb Lund, while Saturday night will host Wide Mouth Mason?s Shaun Verrault, Collective Soul and Theory of a Deadman.

Thomas said he expects this event to grow each year and transform into a festival similar to that of the Big Valley Jamboree.

?We have the full intention of growing this event,? he said, adding the set-up is running as smoothly as ?a hot knife through butter.?

?This will be a music festival and a celebration of the big spirit of our region that will attract visitors from across the country. ... We?re hoping people will join us for this first year because it is somewhat historic.?

The Thickwood Heights Arena is built to seat approximately 1,300 people and Thomas is hoping for a big turn-out each night. No specific shuttle service will be provided, but Thomas suggests exploring alternative transportation like carpooling or taking a taxi due to limited parking.

For VIP listeners of Rock 97.9 or Country 93.3, tickets for a party bus are included as a package with one of the show nights. They are available online. The bus will pick-up the VIP concert-goers from local sports bar Longshots, transport them to the concert, have special VIP seating and then return them to Longshots after the show.

?Not just anyone can walk in,? said the radio program director Darren Robson. ?It?s our way of showing Fort McMurray that we too have the big spirit, so we?re offering this to our VIP listeners.?

To sign up for the deal, visit either rock979.ca or country933.com.

Thomas said the bands are expected to arrive Friday before the show and each night the concert will begin around 7 p.m. and conclude at 11 p.m.

?I think people are going to have a fantastic experience,? he said.