Saturday, August 17, 2024 (Downsview Park, Toronto)
I did not plan on being there until 3pm on Saturday. I had just got on the GO Train from Oshawa around 12:45pm. While heading to Union Station, I was getting reports from two people working the event that they paused the show and kicked everyone out to head for shelter.
By the time I got to Union, I was told about another 30 mins and we will know if the show is cancelled or still delayed. So I grabbed some food and headed north on the GO Train to Downsview Park.
By the time I got to the station, it was pouring again. I waited it out for about 40 mins at the station then when the sun broke out I headed over.
But, when I got there again (20 min walk to the gates), it came down hard. The gates were still closed. I found a spot under the Will Call tent and hung out there for nearly an hour.
Finally, we hear they are opening the gates. Security is heading back to their locations, and vendors were going back in. It was said that NOFX would be on at 6:30p instead of 8P and the Circle Jerks were to play after.
When NOFX took the stage at 6:30p, Fat Mike announced that everyone there or who went home early, their Saturday ticket would be good for Sunday as well. He also had made an announcement about the NOFX Pre-party that I attended that was cancelled. (When I arrived Friday night at the Phoenix to see Eric Melvin, “The Melvinator”, do a DJ set, the venue was in the dark due to a blackout after Cross Dog and just before The Anti-Queens hit the stage. Must have been Mikey’s pedals and amps.). Anyway, they were going to honour those ticket holders to get in for free at the Velvet Underground for another Melvinator DJ set.
Here are a few videos of NOFX today. As well as some photos. Day Two (Sunday) scroll down.
Total Bummer featuring The Interrupters, which is all we saw of them.
Next into Bottles to the Ground!
NOFX plays 9 songs in 6 minutes. Fat Mike says this is how they squeeze 40 songs into their set!
I still had my camera on photo mode by accident. Missed a couple seconds, but here is Theme From a NOFX Album! I also cut it a bit short. As my view was being obstructed and it was just Melvin finishing up slowly.
Sunday, August 18, 2024 (Downsview Park, Toronto)
Today was slightly better! The weather only paused the show for roughly two hours? I hadn’t even left for the show yet when they paused. So I waited until I heard the go ahead. I took the car instead of the GO Train today. Much quicker.
By the time I arrived in the muddy and soggy parking lot, I could hear Eulogy by The Flatliners. I was really hoping to get some footage of them, since they are a veteran OntarioPunk artist!
I finally was in and made my way around the place, saying my hellos. The first two bands I got to catch was Face to Face and The Decendents who have both been in my library for many years. I was impressed at how tight they all were playing together still going hard!
All the bands who had played that day had their set times slashed for shorter sets, because of the storm and pausing.
NOFX hit the stage around 8:30p and there was twice as much energy today than there was last night. (I know, Saturday’s tickets became available to use on Sunday as well). But it was awesome! Bigger pit, more surfers, including myself, and a whole lot of singing. Dave Baksh (Brownsound) of SUM 41 also jumped in on El Hefe’s guitar while he moved to the trumpet. It was about this time that I grabbed a quick video while surfing. But my timing was off. Fans of Dave can see it at @nofx on the socials.
Over all, I would say it was a fucking blast despite being cold, wet and muddy by the end.
It was great to see many old and new friends, and even made some new ones!
Til the next good thing.. so long and thanks for all the Crocs, Toronto! (Lol)
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