"Springfest 2014" ~ Ocean City, Md.
Saturday, May 3rd
For my second year in a row I get to kick off my concert season by just walking to the show down the boardwalk, as last year it was Foreigner and this year Loverboy. On the third night of Springfest, The Canadian rockers, touring in support of their 35th anniversary, hit the stage just a little after 9pm to an almost sold-out house and brought the 1980's back to life with their 13 song, one and a half hour show. Keyboardist Doug Johnson was first onstage starting with the night’s opener "Notorious." Lead singer Mike Reno, with his trademark bandana and sunglasses, guitarist Paul Dean, drummer Matt Frenette and bass guitarist Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve took the stage and rocked with two of their top 40 hits, "Lucky Ones" and "Queen of the Broken Hearts." Next was "Take Me to the Top," where mid-song Johnson left his keyboard and delivered a stunning sax solo.
Slowing the pace down now we heard "It's Your Life" and "This Could Be The Night," amping up again with "The Kid Is Hot Tonight.” Reno got the crowd up and on their feet shouting "whoa', following him on a chorus in that song, before slowing the pace down again with "When It's Over." Next brought Dean shredding his guitar and Sinnaeve attacking his bass on "Hot Girls in Love." After a brief band intro, band members left the stage while Frenette showed his drum skills with an impressive solo that brought thunderous applause from the crowd; after which Sinnaeve came out to add his incredible bass. It was an impressive display by both, ending with Frenette standing on his throne and brushing along the cymbals before ending his solo with Sinnaeve.
As the band returned to the stage, they hit the opening chords to "Turn Me Loose," and then Reno addressing the crowd that cow bells are “meant for only one reason and only one man can use them” as Frenette hit the cow bell twice to the opening of "Working for the Weekend," ending their more than one-hour set. After a short break, the band returned for a solid two-song encore with "Lovin' Every Minute of It" and closing the night with " Jump." While I had hoped for a group bow at the end of the show, the band quietly left the stage as the audience continued to cheer this outstanding performance.
