PHOTOS: Billy Talent, Monster Truck, The Dirty Nil—February 16th, 2017 @ Abbotsford Centre, Abbotsford, BC

Published: February 20, 2017

Billy Talent is a band that has flown under the radar for many people in their 24-year career. Being relatively unknown until 2003 when their first album was released with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Canada, they have been going strong ever since with nearly 3 million albums sold worldwide and their first album going triple Platinum in Canada. Currently in support of their fifth album, this arena tour allows fans to experience a setlist that showcases their unique twist of Punk and Canadian-Rock. Billy Talent laced up their special ass-kicking boots for this one.

The Abbotsford Center is an interesting venue. A high-tech infrastructure positioned one hour outside Vancouver, BC. Abbotsford is called “The City In The Country.” It’s been known in the past to host major country star acts like Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, or your mom and dad’s rock bands like Alice Cooper, Heart, and Meatloaf. Though the last year it seems the heroes of a millennials childhood have shown up. Blink-182, Papa Roach, and now Billy Talent. It has also recently hosted Anthrax and Slayer! As an Abbotsford local, I’m perfectly fine with more rock and metal acts showing up to the small city to break the trend of this town only being for country lovers and people looking for a retirement home.

Despite the location and demographic of the arena, the crowd was anything but. An all-ages show that was filled with positivity in every seat. Cliché, but it was entertainment for the whole family. The floor was jammed with the thrashing teens and adults who grew up with Billy Talent while most of the assigned seating were parents with kids as young as 12 who shared the same love as those before them. It was also great for those who valued their toes from the moshing. The ground level was that scene from Game of Thrones where John Snow crawls out of the massive pile of bodies while the opposing army circles around them. Pure mayhem.

The show began with the crowd giving the band all the love it could, and the band gave it right back. From the beginning fans noticed that the drum throne’s position was being filled in by Jordan Hastings from Alexisonfire, who did an amazing job to recreate the original tracks written by long time drummer Aaron Solowoniuk, while also adding tasteful flare when appropriate. Aaron has been sitting out from the studio and touring on this last tour as he battles with MS. (We love you dude)

Frontman Benjamin Kowalewicz gave quips about how BC cant handle snow, and some great words about Donald Trump. “Here at Billy Talent we don’t care if you are gay or straight. White, Black, Asian. Atheist, Catholic, or Muslim. We love you all the same.” It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, Billy Talent loves you. What more could you expect from a group of Canadians?

The Dirty Nil

[See image gallery at www.heavyblogisheavy.com]

Monster Truck

[See image gallery at www.heavyblogisheavy.com]

Billy Talent

[See image gallery at www.heavyblogisheavy.com] For more from this photographer, visit Brandon Klemets Photography on Facebook.

Photos may not be reproduced or used in any manner outside of the above posting without express permission of the photographer and/or Heavy Blog is Heavy.

Music Blogs
follow us on Twitter      Contact      Privacy Policy      Terms of Service
Copyright © BANDMINE // All Right Reserved
Return to top