Jackson Triggs Winery, Niagara On The Lake, Ontario - September 3, 2005

I felt like I had been waiting and waiting for this show for years, and then it suddenly snuck up behind me and bit me in the ass... now it's all over. But, man, was it worth it. I think after a few months of traversing the country playing bookstores, Steve was completely ON for this show. It was brilliant. The venue was beautiful and simply adorable, and aside from my ankles being eaten alive by mosquitos, it was lovely being outside on such a gorgeous evening. When Steve would stop, allowing a few seconds of silence, you could hear the crickets in full song, providing backup... there are no words.

I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, seeing just Steve on stage, without any other Ladies to back him up. All I can say is... WOW. Except for a few lyrics screw ups (which we've honestly come to expect from Steve, and enjoy thoroughly -- we counted five), Steve was nothing short of awesome.

Janie, John and I left for Niagara around noon, planning on stopping briefly in Niagara Falls for lunch (we ate at Johnny Rockets in the Fallsview Casino), and wandering around for a bit to see the falls. John and I hadn't been there for more than five years, so we thought we needed to check it out again. A lot has changed in the last five years or so, let me tell you! We're hoping to get back and spend a weekend there sometime soon to take it all in again. After lunch and a brief drive through town to check out the cheesy tourist traps -- gotta love 'em -- we soldiered on to Niagara On The Lake, and spent about an hour in town, checking out a few shops. We then headed back to the winery, stopping at the Shoppers Drug Mart across the street for water and Canadian candy.

Though we got there around 6 ("doors" opened at 5:30), we were still able to get a good spot up front, "stage Tyler." To be honest, there was not a bad seat (rock?) in the house, but I was still surprised we were able to snag a place down front. As always, we socialized a bit while we waited for the show to start at 8pm. It was so fantastic to see familiar faces again, and meet some new ones! Thanks so much to Sandra for the hat (i'm totally serious, you shouldn't have done that!!), and to Molly for the dark chocolate M&Ms (*homer drool*) and the t-shirt! (FACT: Clowns Eat People).

The show started right on time, and Steve was delicious. I'm clearly running out of adjectives here. He opened with So Young So Wrong So Long, and it just kept getting better from there! Anne Marie snagged the setlists, and posted them on the board, so I listed the correct set list below. There were some notable highlights that I will never forget... The Chorus Girl (with the audience creating a sea of la la las), and... POWDER BLUE. Finally, my life is complete, and I can die, because I have heard Powder Blue live. Steve told us all that it was OUR fault, as it was the most requested song. I'd wager to say it was HIS fault for inviting us to submit requests via the blog in the first place. LOL! He called it "the greatest B-side in Rock & Roll history," as it was one of those songs that just didn't make the album (Maroon), and now they're trying to figure out why they ever did that!

After the show, Steve was signing items and doing a meet & greet much like the bookstore tour he did over the summer... it was very nicely organized, though I have to admit it didn't have the same intimacy meeting him across a table vs. on the street. It was still very nice. Together, Amy, Emma and I managed to get an item for the Barenaked Teacup Auction -- Emma came up with the idea of having him sign a bottle of Jackson-Triggs wine. Amy bought the wine, and I got my silver Sharpie out of the car. Though I was charged with procuring an item for the auction, I am such a wuss. I needed Emma and Amy to back me up!

After we got the wine signed, it was my turn. I handed him my TVP advanced album, and I told him I had been working with Marc [Nathan, of Flagship Recordings], "since May... no March!" He replied, "Oh, you're Sue?" [Woo hoo! :D *does a little dance*] He signed my CD sleeve "Thanks, Sue! Steven Page"

I had a fantastic time before, during and after the show, and I thought the venue was nothing short of fantastic! I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye out for their concert schedule next summer, and if an artist I like is playing, you can bet I will go see a show there again!

Setlist
(courtesy of Anne Marie)

Set One
So Young So Wrong So Long
These Wasted Words
Jane
In The Car
Wilted Rose
I Live With It Every Day
It's All Been Done
Bull in a China Shop (which he said he hopes will appear on the next BNL album -- WOO!)
That's All, That's All
Enid
War on Drugs
Brian Wilson

Set Two
Intermittently (a nice surprise!)
The Old Apartment
Thank You For Sharing
Alternative Girlfriend
Everything's the Same (crossed off and not played)
Glitterbug
Shoe Box (not written on set list, played by audience member request)
What a Good Boy
So. Cal
POWDER BLUE
The Chorus Girl
Call and Answer

Encore
Go Home

Ok, if you've gotten this far, and haven't cheated, here is your reward -- PICTURES!