March 29, 2024

By KENNETH BELLIVEAU

The night air was chilly, a brisk 8 C, but that didn’t stop the students of Conestoga from coming out to see Down with Webster.

The doors opened at 7 p.m. and people were lined up behind the woodworking building, eager to see Conestoga’s 2011-2012 frosh concert. It was a good 20- minute wait and a security check before anyone was able to catch a glimpse of the stage.

There was a refreshments tent, which many people took advantage of before Down with Webster actually took the stage later on in the night. Off near the rear of the venue there was a vendor selling hotdogs and hamburgers for those students who needed to grab a bite to eat.

Then, finally, at about 7:40 p.m. Stereo Kids took the stage, and played a wide variety of music as well as interacting with the crowd. The group threw in a few well-known covers, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Give it Away off their 1991 album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This drew a very laid back reaction from a crowd that had seemed really eager and pumped up.

After the Stereo Kids finished, there was an intermission before the next band played.

As students drank beer and conversed about the Stereo Kids, The Stereos were taking the stage and getting ready to rock.

The Stereos were good, playing pop rock songs that are meant for a summer cruise in the convertible with the top down and the wind racing through. While playing band members told jokes among themselves, while keeping the crowd excited about the fact that Down with Webster was coming on right after them. When The Stereos finished and they thanked the crowd, everyone stood in anticipation for the headliners.

No one left their spot, especially if it was close to the stage. It took a while before Down with Webster came on. There was what seemed like an endless sound check, which made the crowd restless.

When Down with Webster’s intro came on, the crowd went nuts. People were screaming and flashes from cameras were going off everywhere. Vocalists Cameron Hunter and Martin “Bucky” Seja asked the crowd to make as much noise as possible and sing along with the music. Throughout their session Down with Webster threw cups into the audience, telling everyone to hold them high and party as hard as they could. At one point during the set the two vocalists pulled out large bottles of liquor and each took a swig.

Down with Webster played most of their well-known songs and even a few new ones off their new album which is set to be released on Oct. 31. They ended with the song Whoa is Me, which most people know them for.
Hunter and Seja tried to channel the energy of the crowd by asking everyone to shout “Whoa” after band members yelled it.

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