Thousands of Prince George residents packed Exhibition Park this past weekend for the 2019 Cariboo Rocks the North music festival and were treated to an ecstatic closing act.
Loverboy was the headlining band of the second annual event, taking the stage Sunday evening (Aug. 11) and bringing together a giant mosh pit of people singing along.
The Canadian Music Hall of Famers rocked out the songs that earned them six Juno Awards, including Working for the Weekend, The Kid is Hot Tonite, Hot Girls in Love, and Get Lucky.
Lead vocalist Mike Reno kept the crowd alive, interacting with them between performances and teasing the next song.
Paul Dean proved he still has the skills even at the age of 73 by riffing off incredible guitar solos, while Doug Johnson showed Prince George his talents as a multi-musician on the keyboard, harmonica, and saxophone.
Bassist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve and drummer Matt Frenette each had their spotlight moments as well when each band member was introduced to the crowd and performed a solo on their instrument.
The 80s rock group’s stop in B.C.’s northern capital was also part of their 40th-anniversary tour.
Cariboo Rocks the North was also treated to bands like Trooper, The Romantics, Chilliwack, Glass Tiger, and Sass Jordan, along with local vendors, craft beer, and tons of merchandise.
The success of this year’s party has prompted Pacific Western Brewing (PWB) to announce a 2020 show that’s already in the works.
While bands are still being determined, tickets are already on sale says PWB Manager Kyle Sampson.
“An event of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without a small army behind it,” he explains in a statement. “From our event management team, to our staff, suppliers, contractors, the artists and the patrons – thank you for making Cariboo Rocks The North northern B.C.’s biggest summer party – we can’t wait to be back for a third year at Exhibition Park in 2020!”
More information can be found on the website for Cariboo Rocks the North.
