Concert Review
Sugar Ray
The Avalon Theatre
Fallsview Casino
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Friday April 25, 2014
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Singer Mark McGrath entertained the crowd at the Fallsview Casino and Resort last weekend, as Sugar Ray tore through a seventy-five minute performance that seemed to go by quite rapidly inside the Avalon Theatre. The band may have only played ten songs but it was the charisma of McGrath that stood out as he talked between songs and had control of the audience.
Opening with new track, the recently retooled and unreleased “Summertime’s Coming” was a reminder that summer really is just around the corner and serves as a glimmer of hope after a long, harsh winter has taken its toll on the Niagara Region in more ways than one.
Along with McGrath, the rest of the band consisted of original guitarist Rodney Sheppard, drummer Dean Butterworth and bassist Serge Dmitrijevic. These are the last couple of shows with Dmitrijevic who will be joining up with Earth, Wind & Fire.
The standards were all featured including crowd pleaser, “Answer The Phone” during which McGrath slapped on a guitar. “When It’s Over”, “Every Morning” and show closer “Fly” sent the patrons home satisfied.
The show served more of a tuneup for McGrath’s big summer tour package called Under The Sun. Sugar Ray is gearing up for the summer, and although they won’t be playing anywhere too close by, at least fans in the area got the full taste of a Sugar Ray show. Being the class act he is, McGrath also let everyone know how kind and accommodating the people of the Fallsview Casino are as he sincerely thanked them for all their hospitality. It was a win-win situation for everyone.
Set List
Summertime’s Coming
Someday
Answer the Phone
Every Morning
Under the Sun
When it’s Over
Falls Apart
Blister in the Sun
Mean Machine / Blitzkrieg Bop
Fly
Extra special thanks to Jennifer Murphy for all of her assistance
