Date: February 6, 2025
Written by: Justin Fisher
Photos by: Quinn Hall
Some of Winnipeg's best punk rock hit the city's newest stage on January 11th, with Sidestage playing host to rockers Riverdogs and emo-punk acts Second Floor Patients, and Also-ran.
Riverdogs kicked off the night with a captivating set of cover songs, featuring an eclectic mix of tracks from The Killers, My Chemical Romance, and The Pixies. They opened their set with The Tragically Hip's "She Doesn't Know," followed by the crowd-favorite "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. Both of these tracks provided a strong introduction to themselves for the audience, with vocalist Aidan doing a great tribute to both Gord Downie and Justin Hawkins with his stage presence and swagger, as well as a strong vocal performance that continued into performances of "Joker and the Thief" by Wolfmother and "Everlong" by Foo Fighters. Rounding out the lineup are drummer Zach Riley and bassist John Corsiga (Also-ran, Sleep/less).
Riverdogs is a band to see if you're a fan of alternative rock. Enjoy tribute bands and shows, which Winnipeg knows a lot about.
Next up was Second Floor Patients, fronted by bassist and vocalist Seth Fronda. They started with a performance of their latest single, "Community," a song that serves as an excellent reminder of what bands such as Second Floor Patients are very good at, which is keeping the crowd engaged during shows and speaking before and after their set to fans, whether it be a friend or someone who wants to know about a piece of gear. Guitarist Jaleel is well-known to be very knowledgeable around the fretboard, looking locked in and in his element during shredfests in tracks such as "The Death of Big F," a somewhat comedic single written by the band about their Dodge Caravan that broke down. Other highlights included covers of My Chemical Romance, Pierce The Veil, PUP, and Simple Plan songs (and the King of the Hill + Phineas and Ferb theme songs), and a yearning performance of their most honestly emotional and raw song, "Two."
Second Floor Patients is for fans of PUP, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, and Joyce Manor. Check out the other projects these guys are involved in, Avenue 46 and 40 Dollar Mike.
Also-ran closed the night with an emotion-filled, passion-packed set. They proudly wear their influences (Weezer, Green Day) on their sleeve while still pushing creative boundaries. With a busy year ahead, Saturday marked their first big show of 2024. Their set featured songs from their new EP, Nothing Spectacular, their demo, The Line Between Champions, and their latest track, "Perfection (Far From It)." From the infectious riffs and pop-savvy harmonies in the title track of their new EP to drummer Jason's dynamic stage presence, Also-ran has carved out a standout place in the punk scene, one that’s hard to top.
In true Also-ran fashion, their setlist featured several covers, including tracks from My Chemical Romance and Weezer. The energy was high, with plenty of laughs and fun, as the crowd jumped and sang along.
Winnipeg’s brand-new Sidestage is quickly becoming a hotspot for live music, hosting shows every weekend across all genres, from punk and metal to rap and dance parties. Here are some upcoming shows in the city over the next few months.
February 22nd, 2025: Comeback Kid, Orthodox, Cancer Bats, Meantime and Pink Snot @ The Burton Cummings Theater
March 13th, 2025: Ignite, Death By Stereo and Pink Snot @ Sidestage
April 20th, 2025: The Devil Wears Prada, ERRA, Kingdom Of Giants, Acres @ The Park Theater
Comentarios