Blue Rodeo’s yearly tradition of playing Victoria has come full circle with their 1,000 Arms tour arriving at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Thursday Jan. 26th, 2017.

Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers

The stage, stacked with enough talent and years in the music biz to staff 5 bands, was beautifully set with the perfect props: mandolin, accordion, fiddle, keyboards and an assortment of guitars. The Blue Rodeo tour is a well-oiled machine, yet still full of warmth and genuine emotion that resonates from the songs that the band has played countless times and the new tracks too.

Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers

The audience was a mixed crowd from twenty-somethings to 60-somethings, all determined to have a good time on a Thursday night. The hoot and hollerers were there along with the two-steppers and those just happy to sit in their seats and sing along.

Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers

Just like last year’s Blue Rodeo show, the 1,000 Arms tour was easy on the eyes with a good-looking yet simply set stage. Oh and incredible lighting — not just for the photographers either (thank you!). Greg Keelor’s powerful vocals on the eerie Diamond Mine were accompanied by a spectacular light show. With just lighting during Palace of Gold, the stage resembled the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers
Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers
Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers
Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers

The songs ranged from the beautiful title track for the new album, 1,000 Arms to favourites like 5 Days in May, Bad Timing and Lost Together. 1,000 Arms has a neat story behind it, Jim Cuddy shared it with the crowd, then touchingly dedicated the song to Gord Downie from the Tragically Hip and John Mann of Spirit of the West who’ve both been dealing with serious health crisis’s.

Blue Rodeo 1000 Arms
Blue Rodeo // Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre // Jan 26, 2017 – Mel Z / Rogers

Setlist:

Heart Like Mine
Fools Like You
Head Over Heels
Disappear
1000 Arms
Hard to Remember
Superstar
This Town
Western Skies
Bad Timing
Diamond Mine

Acoustic Set
One Light Left in Heaven
Over Me
Palace of Gold
I Can’t Hide This Anymore
Cynthia
You’re Everywhere
Dark Angel
Electric Set
What Am I Doing Here
Til I Am Myself Again
5 Days in May
Hasn’t Hit Me Yet
Encore:
Try
Little Ole Wine Drinker Me
(Dean Martin cover)
Lost Together

Interview with Blue Rodeo bassist, Bazil Donovan:

Play Pause

Blue Rodeo's Bazil Donovan - Interview

Originally Aired: January 24, 2017

Mel Z – Middays 10am – 3pm on Ocean 98.5 & Rocktographer

Filed under: 1000 Arms, 1000 Arms Tour, 1000 Arms Tour Photos, Blue Rodeo, Blue Rodeo Photos, Livenation BC, Mel Z Photos, Save on Foods Memorial Centre, Select Your tickets, Victoria BC, Warner Music Canada