- Honeymoon Suite & Streetheart [05/16 Casino Rama, Orillia, ON]
This show was last night. As usual the venue was top notch. Our seats were really good. We were in the lowest section of the stadium seating (one section behind the floor seat section) dead centre stage. The section was behind the sound and video control centre. We were row 11 so had clear view of the stage. Most of the artists make a point to comment on how much they love the location and the support staff. Streetheart did that and also thanked the indian tribe which owns the land and the casino which contains the theatre. I will discuss both artist separately.
Streetheart
Here is the setlist:
1. Action
2. Hollywood
3. Tin Soldier (Small Faces cover)
4. Look In Your Eyes
5. What Kind of Love Is This
6. One More Time
7. Under My Thumb (The Rolling Stones cover)
8. Snow White
I was disappointed they did not do "Here Comes The Night". But as the opener they had to do an abbreviated set list. I have seen them before. They were as good this time as the last. It was this band that my son came to see. One thing I observed which was different, the guitarist was a leftie. His guitar was backwards with the long narrow part going on to his right side and being squeezed with his right hand while his left hand did the strumming. I think this may have been the first backwards guitar player I have ever seen or at least noticed. Streetheart did not do any instrument solos but they did redo the last verse chorus of some of their songs with a different arrangement. I am not a fan of this although it beats a instrument solo.
Honeymoon Suite
Here is the setlist:
1. Burning in Love
(Drum solo)
2. Love Changes Everything
3. Wounded
4. Stay in the Light
5. Wave Babies
6. Feel It Again
(Keyboard Solo)
7. What Does It Take
(Bass/Guitar duel)
(Guitar Solo)
8. New Girl Now
First off, have I mentioned how much I hate instrument solos? They featured 4 in a 1 hour show. I have seem them before. I like them then. This time, the music was still good but there were several issues that detracted from my enjoyment.
- The lead singer decided he had to use a corded microphone with a really long cord so he could walk it, with the stand, from one end of the stage to the other. Streetheart had used exclusively cordless mics for everybody. The other members of Honeymoon Suite were also using cordless mics. It looked very 1970ish. Also naturally he would get the cords tangled around speakers and the poor roadie was constantly freeing him. He also seemed to be displaying growing frustration with the cord and the roadie during the concert which was stupid since I assume the corded mic was his choice.
- The lead singer seemed to be generally unhappy with the idea of performing or perhaps the restrictions on length of setlist. Their setlist was abreviated as well. Likely due to Rama trying to make their concerts no longer than 2 hours. At any rate his irritation was noted and was a detraction from the concert experience.
- The sound guy was absolutely horrible. He had his volume to 11 and there was distortion throughout the night. No actual feedback but heavy distortion. This did not leave a good impression.
I think I will pass on Honeymoon Suite in the future.
Upcoming Shows:
2026:
- Penn & Teller: 50 Years of Magic [06/06 Meridian Hall, Toronto, ON]
- Paul Simon: A Quiet Celebration [06/26 RBC Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON]
- Journey [11/04 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON]
