March has a way of keeping Halifax on its toes; one minute we’re buried in snow, the next we’re seeing glimpses of the upcoming Spring. Last Saturday night, however, the focus was on what was waiting inside Scotiabank Centre; a stacked night of rock featuring Montreal’s The Damn Truth, Canadian heavyweights Big Wreck, and headliners Live, wrapping up the final stop of the Like A Rollin’ Thunder Tour.
The Damn Truth got things rolling with a set that felt like a collision of eras and influences, somewhere between The Glorious Sons and The Darkness, with a flair all their own. From the jump, they made full use of the stage, leaning into big guitar licks and synchronized poses that gave their performance a theatrical edge. It was the kind of opening set that warms up the crowd and grabs their attention.
By the time Big Wreck stepped out, the energy in the room had already found its peak. There’s something about this band and Halifax that just clicks. Every visit feels bigger, tighter, and more dialed-in than the last.
One of the standout moments for me came during “Come Again,” a Thornley-era favourite that landed with even more weight hearing it performed with Sekou Lumumba behind the kit. It was a reminder of just how deep Ian Thornley’s catalogue runs, and how seamlessly those songs still resonate in a live setting. When the band moved into “Blown Wide Open,” the arena softened as flashlights and lighters flickered to life across the crowd, turning the massive space into something far more intimate.
Between songs, the band paused to thank the Halifax faithful for always showing up to their shows with such passion, with Ian stepping up to the mic to say: “Every time we come out here, it’s always incredible. Thank you all so much.” The response was immediate and loud, a reflection of just how strong that connection runs. And when “That Song” kicked in, the crowd took over completely, voices ringing out in unison and echoing through the rafters. It felt less like a performance and more like a shared moment between band and city. The energy was palpable, and the moment was easily one of the most powerful of the night.
Honestly, Big Wreck could headline Scotiabank Centre on their own at this point, and I’m confident that Halifax would show up en masse.
Closing out the night, Live brought a full-scale production with them – LED screens stretching across the stage, visuals pulsing in time with the music, and constant movement that kept the performance visually engaging. When the opening notes of “The Dolphin’s Cry” rang out about midway through the night, the crowd burst into cheers. It’s one of those songs that carries a history for a lot of people.
Frontman Ed Kowalczyk took a moment mid-set to reflect on the healing power of music, sharing a sentiment that clearly resonated with the room: “You could be having the shittiest day ever, and then your favourite song comes on and suddenly all your problems go away. That’s the healing power of music.” From there, the band moved into “Leave the Radio On,” a track rooted in that very idea.
There was a brief dip in momentum during a more stripped-back acoustic portion, with a notable chunk of the crowd slipping out for the night. It was a departure that did, unfortunately, make sense if you were a fan that signed up for a night packed with your favourite songs; for a 90-minute set, the band made the interesting choice to forgo the inclusion of most of their greatest hits, often leaving the crowd eager to hear something familiar. Although I can appreciate a band trying to bring their newer and/or lesser-known tracks to the forefront, this move didn’t seem to keep the crowd locked in for the night. Thankfully, things did pick up as the set neared its end. By the time they closed the night with “Lightning Crashes,” energy had returned to the room, and the crowd came together for one final shared moment.
It was a night that balanced spectacle with sincerity. All three bands brought something different to the stage, but they all tied together the theme of connection. With Live in Halifax, along with Big Wreck and The Damn Truth, we were given a night of music that will stick with many of us for a while.
Thanks to Live Nation and evenko for having us out! Be sure to keep up with Live, Big Wreck and The Damn Truth!
