We got there around 1pm after driving down from St. Ignace where we stayed after the Sault Ste Marie show the night before. We were 2nd and 3rd in line until doors opened. It was extremely hot to say the least, but totally worth it to secure front and center on the barrier for The Master.
There had to be 4000 to 5000 people there by the time the show started. I'd heard it was their biggest crowd ever and they've had some major bands play this festival in the past (Styx, etc). It was great to see such a big crowd. No doubt Alice and the band feed off the energy of the crowd and there was plenty of that there this night.
This was the only show of the three to feature pyro apparently due to restrictions in the other two venues. It's not essential, but it is pretty frickin' cool when Alice comes out to that curtain of sparks to start the show.
There were no "surprises"... it's the same show as the band was playing last year. I'm sure it will be shortened and the covers dropped for the Crue Tour. Glen does have a cool new drum set though.
By this point, the third show, Nita looks to be settling in nicely and having a blast up there on stage! She's fun to watch and fits in well. She can shred too!
I definitely have to give some props to Tommy Henriksen (aka Disviscious)... definitely the MVP of the early shows of the tour. While Nita and Ryan get the leads and the spotlight, Tommy holds it all together with his rhythm guitar all show long. Sitting in front of him and Nita for the first two shows, it was cool to see this and gain an appreciation for what he brings to the band in addition to his showmanship and energy.
And is there anybody cooler than Ryan Roxie? I don't think so. We did a Ryan Roxie parking lot before the first show. I encourage anyone hitting the shows to attend one. They are a total blast and just add to the whole show experience. There's nothing cooler than spending a few minutes with Ryan. It's simply awesome that he goes out of his way to meet with the fans like this.
Bay City photos are at the following link. Attention Kyler Clark... there are two here involving you that I think are pretty darn cool
I suspected what was about to happen so I was ready with my trigger finger. Cool stuff.https://www.flickr.com/photos/95849697@ ... 036924050/
