MAJOR LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Kewadin Casino 25th Anniversary Festival), And Another Possible Festival?!

HUGE news today, I'd have had it earlier but I've had a busy day in and of itself. Believe me, this is a big deal, a lot more than just a continuation of an earlier story! Hold onto your hats, here's what you need to know! (Oh, and check out my review of I.S.O.M.'s debut album in the post below!)

Remember on Monday when I mentioned that Kewadin Casino was planning a 25th anniversary summer concert festival in late July? Well, a whole pile of info has been released for it, and most importantly, the headlining acts for each night of the festival are confirmed and announced! And metalheads rejoice, as two legendary hair metal singers will be headlining on the first night! Poison frontman Bret Michaels and Motley Crue's own Vince Neil are the confirmed headliners for Thursday, July 22nd of this huge festival! Of course, you'll no doubt recognize Bret Michaels from his work in Poison and as the star of the "Rock of Love" reality series, but he also has five solo albums to his name, including such singles as "All I Ever Needed" and "Go That Far"! Vince Neil, himself a reality show veteran, has three solo albums himself, including notable songs like "Sister of Pain" and "Can't Change Me"! But no worries, they'll have loads of their Poison and Motley Crue classics to go around, so there'll be lots of stuff you'll be likely to remember!

Both are touring in support of new albums, "Custom Built" and "Tattoos & Tequila", and will also be making their long awaited returns to the Sault area! Michaels was last seen here on his 45th birthday in March 2008 at The Dreammakers Theater at Kewadin Casino, though he'd earlier played in Sault Ontario at The Eastgate Hotel in October 2005! Neil of course headlined the first ever concert at the then-Steelback Centre in December 2006 with Motley Crue, though this will be his first ever solo show in the area! As I always do for major shows featuring bands who've been here before, here's two video clips of their last local stops: SooToday's montage of footage from Bret's 2008 concert, and Vince Neil (with Motley Crue) playing "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" here in 2006!





Now that's just what's metal that I know so far, there's a TON more stuff to say! The headliners for July 23rd and 24th are major too, and I'm sure there's plenty of fans of theirs out there! On the 23rd, Three Doors Down, the multi-platinum rockers from Mississippi, will headline the festival, while on the 24th, legendary rock vocalist Meat Loaf will close the festival on an extremely high note! I know both acts have a ton of fans, so don't bypass a chance to see them if you can help it! There's tons more bands to be announced, including out of town opening acts each night, and three hours of "live entertainment" each day! (I assume concerts will be at least part of that.) And aside from music, there's MUCH more going on for this special 25th anniversary festival! There's tons of entertainment planned throughout each day of the festival, including a golf simulator, bumper cars, Rock Band, a NASCAR simulator, and an electronic bull ride! There will also be vendors yet to be announced daily, and scheduled events like a DJ, a strolling magician, food eating contests, "baggo tournaments" (I think that's basically a bean bag toss), and post-concert fireworks! And last but not least, autograph signings! Thursday, there will be Playboy playmates, Friday has Detroit Lions players, and Saturday? The Fonz! Details to date on the schedule and planned events are available at this location!

Now how's all that sound? Awesome, I hope? Very ambitious and promising, I hope it's a success! And how can it be a success? By us buying tickets, of course! Tickets will cost $50 for a single day of the festival, or $75 for all three days! So all things considered, the three day pass is the best deal, even if you only plan to go two days, because two individual tickets together costs MORE! And really, if you're going to complain about the price, look at the combined value it gives you? Lots of music and entertainment the likes I don't think Sault Michigan's ever had in one festival! Tickets go on sale in a little under two weeks, on April 23rd, so get your wallets ready! Three day passes will be available at The Dreammakers Theater box office ONLY on April 23rd before being released online as well the next day. Single day passes will be available both ways from the get-go. It appears to be entirely outdoors (a'la the Kiss show), and will go on rain or shine, so make sure you prepare for the weather and the outdoors setting!

As soon as I hear more info on this very special 25th anniversary festival, I'll have it right here for you guys, especially where tickets and metal bands are concerned! Click here for everything on this festival as it currently stands!

Closing today's post is more festival news, but of a different type! J.D. Pearce from Coch's Corner (you also know him as Fitswitch and Frightlight's frontman) posted a topic on the new 705 Video Magazine forums where he inquires about bands for a potential Sault Ontario-area festival! Apparently, Labatt (yes, the beer company) contacted him and asked for his help in pulling together bands for a possible concert festival to be held on the last weekend of August in Echo Bay (which is just 20 minutes outside of town!) The rough estimate has 20-22 local smaller bands and 2-4 big name headliners, no listed genre restrictions, and he's looking for our help! This isn't final by any means, but J.D. is looking for input and suggestions about the festival or bands in general, so if you've got something, reply to the topic at this location to offer an idea or tip! Remember, you have to register a new account there to post or reply, old The705Scene accounts didn't carry over. If I hear more on this possible festival, I'll certainly let you all know!

After losing Bell Border Jam and Hempfest, I was worried that we'd be stuck with just Rotaryfest to cater to fans of local concert festivals. Looks like things are looking up, on a pretty big level! I knew with the level of this Kewadin festival (which may become yearly depending on this year's success), I had to make it the major focal point of this post, but don't worry, I have more assorted news coming soon, so stay tuned! Remember, it's July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, with the metal kicking things off on the 22nd!