Saturday Night’s alright for bringing community together, and dancing.
There were definitely good times arising at the Youbou Community Hall on Feb. 17 as the Youbou Community Fest presented their third concert series to date. Love was in the air and not just with the Valentine’s decor that lined the tables but in the energy that music lovers of all ages brought with them into the hall. What Canadian iconic rocker Henry Small of Prism fame has created with his partner Heidi Kulzer and the rest of their team of dedicated and vital volunteers has made a big impact on the community through bringing more live music to their town hall, something residents say has been missing for years. This event brought out concert devotees from all over including Duncan, Chemainus, Thetis Island, and even Victoria.
READ MORE: Good times arising at Youbou Hall with the Bad Moon Riders
The Stage Pilots started the night and soared with an incredible playlist of rock covers. Drummer Scott Young lit it up with soulful vocals from behind his drum kit as the band raised the roof with hits from Earth Wind and Fire, and James Brown making everyone feel good on the packed dance floor. Seeing a drummer with this kind of powerhouse vocals is always a rare, and riveting treat. The Stage Pilots also consist of Mike Kelly on guitar and lead vocals and Paul Gibbons and Billy Mendoza who rotate on bass. The most charged part of their set had to be seeing Small rock out with his electric violin as he filled the room with his rousing raspy vocals and high-voltage playing.
After a short intermission the Bad Moon Riders, who first formed in 2016, shone on the stage as they payed tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival as they put a spell on all in attendance with their set-list of cool CCR classics. Moonlighting between both bands, Young kept the tempo on drums while Kelly took CCR fans on a wild ride with his vocals emulating John Fogerty’s. Rounding off this fab four is Mike Nichie on bass, and Anthony Della Croce on lead guitar.
“I had been playing and singing in the Vancouver circuit for many years and while picking out cover songs for our set lists we learned a few CCR tunes,” said Kelly. “As soon as I sang those songs people said I sounded a lot like John Fogerty. As time went on it was suggested that I should form a CCR tribute band. The first line-up of Bad Moon Riders consisted of two former members of a very successful Bon Jovi tribute that had recently broken up, so they were very knowledgeable about how to go about building a tribute band. We focus on being true to the original sound of Creedence but with more modern intensity — the magic of playing a tribute to CCR is that everyone knows almost every song we play and that the music makes people happy.”
The Bad Moon Riders kicked off their set with ‘Hey Tonight’ followed by ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and didn’t skip a beat with all the other favourites CCR fans love to sing along to.
It was only my second time in Youbou since moving to the valley, but it seemed like the majority of the town came out to dance the night away. One thing is for sure, CCR fanciers did not have to wait until midnight to see how special the evening was for all who came out.
To say people were ecstatic from the night’s entertainment would be an understatement. It was a night of dancing, singing and community camaraderie. Those who bought their tickets in advance were entered into a draw for some Bad Moon Riders schwag, while all had the chance to test their luck for the evening’s 50/50 draw. Youbou Community Music Fest pride themselves on not only giving back to the community though live music but also through lending a helping hand — donating $635 from the night’s proceeds to the Lake Cowichan Food Bank. Youbou Community Music Fest’s next concert is slated for April 20.
“Our focus is to put Youbou on the map with a unique experience with everyone leaving with a very memorable experience,” said Kulzer. “We all truly feel what we are doing is a great, positive experience for the community and beyond including the bands which all love us and want to come back.”
“I used to play in Duncan years ago and always found the people in Cowichan area to be warm and friendly,” said Kelly. “We hope that the people left our show feeling like they got a full dose of CCR music and felt better than when they arrived.”