Sam Roberts lives out his rock star dream at Spectrum.

Sam Roberts hits a homer

By: Lexie Buchanan-Kaisin

Posted: 9/23/03

"We've been dreaming about this night, it means everything to us. Thanks so much for coming out."

Wait a minute. Sam Roberts is thanking the audience? It really should have been the other way around, because those folks lucky enough to get tickets to the sold-out September 16 show at Spectrum were treated to a night of real rock 'n' roll, and to a show that was both intimate and energy-packed.

This show was not about going through the motions. It was raw and it was real. Roberts and company put on a stunning live show. This was a show about having the time of your life. This was a show about a guy from Montreal playing the venue he attended hundreds of times as a kid and who was in disbelief that he was now the one standing on stage and drawing in the fans.

Hailing from Pointe Claire, the McGill grad (BA '98) and up-and-coming rockstar was fulfilling one of his childhood dreams by playing to a packed house at Spectrum. Obvious to everyone was the singer's giddiness once he was centre stage, just him and his band.

From the first notes of "Amazing Grace," the energy was like nothing else. This band knows how to throw down. Not only that, the fact that they do not take themselves too seriously is refreshing. These boys are playing their music and, just like their audience, they too are there to have a good time. Roberts' charisma coated every note he played and word he sang.

He was not shy about letting everyone know how special this show was to him, constantly thanking the audience and saying that it was good to be home and that he was "thanking [his] lucky stars that [he is] from this town."

The show was not just for the fans, but also for the city itself. His passion for Montreal was manifested when he dedicated the bilingual "No Sleep" to the city. Bands often say how special it is to be in the town they are in, but this time it was different: this was sincere.

Midway through the show, Roberts told the crowd, "Now we're getting serious," flashed a smile and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels. He proceeded to dance while his bandmates played a slow ballad which gradually led into the song that first brought the band their fame, "Brother Down." The crowd's response was out of control, with screaming, jumping and bodysurfing ensuing.

It's hard to pinpoint the moment that most electrified the audience, as it really was a two-hour-long party. But perhaps one of the most touching moments of the night was when Roberts came out for his encore accompanied only by his acoustic guitar. One by one, his bandmates joined him and then, from the audience popped out two of his brothers, joining him onstage, arms around one another, singing together.

"Where Have All the Good People Gone" had every single audience member singing along. Hands raised and clapping, they were thrilled to see Roberts take his turn bodysurfing, throwing himself into the sea of bodies all the while still playing his guitar.

The intimate setting of Spectrum was perfect for this show. It was obvious that the close connection with his public is something this performer thrives off of. Roberts knows how to give his all during a show, and this was clearly exhibited last Tuesday night, through all his passion and sweat.

Roberts deserves much credit for writing and arranging every song on his album. He also played every single instrument on all the tracks, admitting defeat only in the face of the drum set.

Towards the end of the show, Roberts said, "This is going to keep us going for I don't know how long." The answer from the audience seemed to be a unanimous "ditto," because there just ain't nothing like a good rock concert.