The Good Kind of Selling Out

Sell-Out:
1) an entertainment, as a show or athletic event, for which all seats are sold.
2) a person who compromises his or her personal values, integrity, talent, or the like, for money or personal advancement.

The Trews experienced a sell out Saturday night, as we packed the Capital Exhibit Centre for a night of rock, sing-alongs and booze. The band, from Antigonish NS, is known for their energetic, tightly executed live show, and they’ve been to Fredericton so many times, it’s highly unlikely you haven’t seen them rip it up. Each time they come to town we know what to expect, which is likely why we uncharacteristically bought all of the tickets a few days BEFORE the show. If we did this more often, perhaps we’d get more quality shows…just sayin’.

Anyway, The Trews never disappoint and they’re always the talk of the town when they play here. Although, there was that one time when Thornley kinda made me forget they had also played; and he was the opening act…but I digress. Saturday night was another in a long line of fantastic performances from a band we’re proud to say is from the East Coast, and with their multiple ECMA nominations this year for Hope & Ruin, they were in fine form on the final night of their latest Atlantic tour.  They were obviously feeding off the energy of a packed house, and that only got the crowd more into it as well.





Rock shows are fun in general. A whole host of characters come out to partake in the experience, and you can see some interesting things if you’re lucky enough.  For instance, at one point, during the break between the opening act, Poor Young Things, and the headliner, I was in line for the washroom. The Fox was proud to be presenting the show, so, naturally, we had some signs and banners up around the venue. The Capital Exhibit Centre should host more shows, by the way. One area which we logoed up was the men’s bathroom (possibly the ladies room too…I don’t know; I don’t frequent that area).

As I stood in line, waiting to relieve my bladder, I noticed one of the two banners in the men’s room was starting to fall down. So did another man. I watched him approach the banner, thinking he was going to fix the problem; awfully kind of him, I thought. He then proceeded to rip it down. Curious, I continued to watch him as he folded it up. Taking that with you? I asked. Oh yeah, she’s evidence now… he said as he walked out. Evidence to what, I don’t know…perhaps evidence that he was at the show…or that he’s a fan. Either way, it made me laugh.

A little while (and a couple of beer) later I was again in the men’s room. Forgive me for the bathroom talk, but the funny encounters of the evening, for me, occurred there. As I stood in the restroom, a young man recognized me and began chatting. He told me he was a fan and listened all the time. I said thanks. I don’t really know what more one should say to a complete stranger while you each stand there with your…business at hand (so to speak). Randy, it was nice to meet you…and really, thanks for listening, man.

It was also during the same pit-stop that I witnessed the 2^nd Fox banner being taken down…by the same guy as before.  Taking that one too, are ya? I said. This time around, the guy recognized me and asked my permission, haha. He was a big Fox fan. It was funny. Enjoy the banners, man.

Overall, it was a great night: a sell-out crowd; The Trews rocked; Poor Young Things made an impression; and, thankfully, I wasn’t the one who had to clean up all of the cans from the floor at the end. Seriously, they have recycling bins all over the place…what gives, people? If you feel like you missed out, maybe this will teach us to buy tickets early rather than procrastinate…we, as a city, are terrible for that. Here’s to selling out!...y'know, the good kind. 




Uncle Rob gets a shout-out!


-Crash-