Review: Joel Plaskett on Georges Island, Saturday, July 29

Joel Plaskett Emergency Credit: Gabrielle Archer

My main motivation for going to the show was to explore Georges Island. However, due to strict fencing and security, exploring was out of the question, and my focus shifted to the afternoon’s concert. The Brood and Port Cities both played good opening sets but it was clear that the crowd was really there to see the Joel Plaskett Emergency. The audience was up on their feet for JPE’s set and Joel’s stage banter was on point, as was the song selection. “Harbour Boys” was particularly appropriate with the lyric “I came here to bring the noise to the island girls and harbour boys.” He also playfully changed the name of “Snowed In” to “Fogged In” as you couldn’t see anything beyond the island due to the afternoon’s heavy fog. Moments before dedicating “I’m Yours” to his wife and son, Plaskett professed his desire for the province to make changes to the liquor laws so that children, like his son, would be able to attend shows. All in all I’d say it was a successful show, I’m just thankful that I wasn’t one of the ones stuck waiting in line for the ferry for a couple of hours afterwards.