"Rogers Stadium, the unwieldy, dubiously thought out, deeply controversial stage, may stand as the sole venue on earth equal to Oasis' own mercurial reputation. The almost indignantly inaccessible location gives up the ghost early on, with a packed subway ride to nearly the end of the TTC's northbound line after which still lies a hike long enough to draw a crowd of opportunistic entrepreneurs, peddling everything from water, to jerk chicken to rickshaw rides over hills and up and away to the far-off gates."
"Inside, an overhead screen counts down the seconds until the show, giving physical presence to the unshakable, grinningly nervous feeling that something big is about to kick off. It's a sentiment opening act Cage The Elephant is the first to address, just minutes after a fight nearly breaks out in the merch tent. "I'd ask you guys if you were excited, but I'm shitting myself already," lead singer Matt Shultz says to agreeing cheers. "So I know it's gonna be a party.""
"But of course that nervous energy is earned; bookies' odds that an explosive fight between bandmates Liam and Noel Gallagher will put a premature end to the ongoing reunion tour are generally put above one in four. It's a fair assumption, as the exact same thing is what destroyed their position as the largest band in the world back in 2009 and kept them from performing together for 15 long years."
Rogers Stadium's layout and remote access create a difficult arrival, with a packed subway ride and a long hike that draws vendors selling food, water and rickshaw rides. Inside, a countdown screen amplifies a nervous excitement that opening act Cage The Elephant directly acknowledges amid a near-scuffle in the merch tent. Frontman Matt Shultz amplifies the party atmosphere with self-deprecating remarks. Persistent concerns persist that an explosive fight between Liam and Noel Gallagher could end the reunion tour, echoing the 2009 breakup that kept the brothers apart for 15 years.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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