While Paul MacCartney was without a doubt the best musical act to ever grace the shores of this backwater burg, the JPE was likewise the worst possible choice to open for him. Yes I know, he was chosen by Paul, but hey, someone should have just said no.
And what was the point of the drummer and Joel switching instruments for a song, other than to show that Joel is as equally untalented on the drums as he is on guitar, vocals, and songwriting…???
—Ashamed to be Haligonian
This article appears in Jul 9-15, 2009.
I’ve noticed there seems to be a good bit of Joel Plaskett hating on here and while I’m not a huge fan the guy is making a comfortable living doing what he loves. Can’t we just be happy that a local guy is enjoying some success?
I love the fact that McCartney used local talent for his opening acts. I wish more big bands would do that when they travel to other countries. It helps to promote the local music scene.
i think there are roughly several thousand, if not several hundred thousand people who would disagree with you. joel is local talent chosen by the sir himself and he later described the evening as “the best night of his life”. Give the guy a break, joel rules, you drool, get over yourself.
I hate Joel’s music too but I also agree with the gist of the first three comments.
I thought Paul just wanted a strong contrast to better the punch of his own performance.
Hiring local bands for the opening act seems a noble gesture, right up until a local says WTF do I want to (pay premium ticket prices to) see him for… again?
I actually had never heard any of Joel’s music before…the concert was my first exposure to him. I was originally skeptical about a local opening act(s) (I ended up HATING Wintersleep, who I had also never heard), but I loved Plaskett and thought he was quite entertaining, quirky, and a fabulous act. Would love to actually now see him in concert again. The crowd seemed to feel the same way. So for all you naysayers, there are still lots who diagree and think he’s great.
I sense you would not know talent if you fell over it!
Whatever, live and let live. Why can’t people just like what they like and leave it be instead of being all like “you fucking suck because you like X band that I hate?” You sound religious.
I happen to like JP (although not live…he yammers on too much). When I went to see the Stones they had big-name from-away openers, (yes I know Sloan’s from here, but they left) all of whom I liked, but as others have said it’s cool to see PM supporting some local talent. You can never please everyone.
Joel Plaskett was extraordinary.
Unfortunately it was either Joel or Blue Thunder to choose from….they are the only two acts that would ‘fit’ the bill.
Well, what would have been good for the JPE or whatever he calls himself these days would be if Sir Paul took him to ANOTHER concert with him – maybe one where he is not as well known… everyone and their dog in HRM knows who Joel Plasket is, you’d be lucky though if anyone outside NS who isnt half hippie knows “the guy who sang that Zeller’s song…”
I’m not a Joel Plaskett fan either, really, but I don’t hate the guy either, and I’d rather see him open up for someone like a fucking beatle than some big time commercial hack big acts tend to tote around with them.
I also love the fact that McCartney used local talent for his opening acts but i am tired of everyone assuming that i love joel p, sloan etc i am not a big fan of this!
Don’t look at me, I’m still trying to figure out why Sloan was so cool.
Well. I agree that some local talent is made to be this HUGE deal when there are LOTS of really good local talent out there. I happen to enjoy Sloan, so I’m not really referring to them, but the people who are made to be the epitome of musical brilliance in this region are sometimes….not as great as what else is out there.
Anybody that wanted to see Joel could have seen them for free less than two weeks ago in Dartmouth.
Whether you like Joel Plaskett or not (and I personally do), you can’t deny the fact that he is one of, if not THE most popular and most successful local rock acts right now. Why the fuck wouldn’t he be the one to open for McCartney? Seems the obvious choice to me if the intent was to use local artists.
Y’all are crazy. Kay’s husband should have performed a solo as the opening act and not JPE!
Tix would have gone for probably $500 general admission though. You know, add on a $375 Pretentious Bitch fee…
he is for here……. and i think thats sad
We are known for that sort of sound not my thing
Says you OP. Says you.
Once again, don’t get the Joel hate at all.
i bet if you started a band no one would want you to open up for them. not even joel.
Rock ‘n Roll Joel? No, no, no.
Nasal nose whinnying wonder boy jabbering Joel.
Got me again, Fat… submission calls for (predetermined?) acts… at $15/per submission I’m sure all the hungry bands who submitted for the opportunity ensured it was a good paying gig on top of (predetermined?) ticket prices to ensure the headliner and the tax man stayed very happy.
I’m not from here, but I do get the sense that once someone from Halifax gets famous, the hate comes pouring down. A lot of local musicians here have confirmed that sentiment for me. I can certainly understand why many move away and why Joel chooses to live in his beloved Dartmouth. I’m not a huge fan of his music either, but I give him props for not giving a shit one way or another.
Is that really you, floyd?
Oh yeah, joel plaskett sounds like a zellers commercial.
I find it funny that everyone’s complaining about opening acts for big name concerts. If opening acts really mean THAT much to you, wait til the whole line up is announced before you buy a ticket.
Or maybe that’s just too logical for some people
its not that i am hating on him
i wouldnt liek his music if he was from here or mexico i still wouldnt be a fan!
Who?
Lovely that we are dumping on poor Joel Plaskett! At least he’s doing what he loves ,right, and some people love his music too. Isn’t that what counts? While we are at it, why don’t we go on a Nickleback hating fest too? Seems just as mmany people can’t stand them yet still they are successful. Funny that.
Hmmm, hate on Nickelback eh? Nah way too fucking easy
But I will say this. Popularity does not a great artist make. Case in point, Nickelback, Joel Plaskett, Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, etc and etc…
Andy! I can’t believe you were short a word for the perfect two word line laugh.
Not “Who?”
You shoulda said “Joel who?”
(You know, Joe who?)
I’ve noticed that too Lang. Someone I know refuses to listen to his music because one of his songs was on a Zellers commercial. Only obscure foreign bands are good enough for her ears. She loves to say,
“Yeah I’ve never met anyone who’s been into *insert obscure foreign band name* but I’ve been listening to them for years now, I have to order their albums from overseas”
I just re-read Lang’s post and realized why I enjoy some of the artists I do and why I do again.
JPE was way way out of his league at the PM concert. Go back to Junior High School Joel….