The Concert of a Lifetime : Weakerthans @ Burton Cummings

A few weeks ago the Weakerthans played a series of four concerts in their hometown, one for each of their albums. Their last concert was at the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg was without a doubt a once in a lifetime experience. The band played all four of their albums in a row to a hometown crowd, from their most recent album Reunion Tour to their first album Fallow.

I have been a Weakerthans fan since 2005 when I saw them perform at the Edmonton folk fest. For some reason or another, my nine year old self really liked their music and I have been a huge fan ever since! Perhaps this was because of their interesting lyrics or their Canadianess, but whatever the reason, they remain to this day to be my favourite band. I saw the band again when they came to Edmonton but I have always wanted to see them perform in their hometown, so for me that Saturday night really was the concert of a lifetime.

It was great to hear the Weakerthans play in Winnipeg, especially in such an historic theatre as the Burton Cummings. I’ve always wanted to hear John K Samson perform his song “One Great City” and hear him sing the lines the Guess Who sucked and I hate Winnipeg in this theatre along with hundreds of other Winnipeggers. I had been looking forward to that song in that theatre for the weeks leading up to the concert, and when the moment finally came it definitely didn’t disappoint.

For some bands, where you see them perform doesn’t matter, but for a band like the Weakerthans it’s different. The fact that I was seeing them perform in Winnipeg was what made the concert so great. I think that this is because Winnipeg is featured in so many of the Weakerthans’ songs. Not only that, but what is also special is that this band seems to share a very strong connection with their hometown audience because they can relate about so many of the same feelings.

For instance, in their song that I had previously mentioned “One Great City” at first glance seems like a song talking about how the band hates Winnipeg. However if you know Winnipeg then it is obvious that John K is singing about the unique love-hate relationship that Winnipeggers have with their city. The stereotypes often associated with Winnipeg may be true; cold winter and lots of mosquitoes in the summer, but many people living in Winnipeg would never dare leave because of their strong attachment and deep feelings for the town.

This concert definitely required a lot of stamina, both for the performers and the audience. Imaginary Cities (also from Winnipeg) opened for the Weakerthans and after their one hour performance the main act played for another four hours! Nearing the end of the night, John K. Samson stated that they would never do this again, so all those people at that concert really made Weakerthans history! However from my perspective, even though the concert was a bit lengthy, it was definitely worth it.