Greenbelt Harvest Picnic

I've gone to the 2013 and 2014 shows, and will likely go to the 2015. The 2013 show was disappointing for sure with the loss of Neil Young and Crazy Horse playing. HOWEVER, we still went and ended up really enjoying ourselves. Some of it was a snooze, I was not into Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, or Gordon Lightfoot, but Rocco DeLuca, the Arkells, Harlan Pepper, Basia Bulat, and especially Whitehorse were great. The next year we got Ray LaMontagne and Los Lobos, along with other acts I didn't know that I enjoyed. Daniel Lanois was a snooze fest for me again, but you kind of have to deal since he puts the whole thing together. Looking forward to seeing Iron and Wine, Basia Bulat and Kathleen Edwards this year, hoping that some more great acts get added. For me the best part of this is that it is relaxed. This is a show were people are bringing picnics and lawn chairs and chilling out. It is relaxing and the kind of show where you can actually sit and converse with your friends. I do believe they could have handled Neil dropping out better, bringing the cost from $140 to $95 or so didn't really make up for him being off the line up in a lot of minds, but they also had other acts to pay and it is about bringing awareness to the danger the greenbelt is in. Keep in mind that while the show is $100, you can bring your own food and drink, so you don't have to pay extra for anything if you don't want to.

Since the cancellation of Neil Young and the fact that full refunds were not offered I was upset but I went anyway. Basically it was $100 to see short sets of mostly local musicians and check out the local farm stalls and food trucks. Which is great and all, but I shouldn't have to pay $100 to enter something to buy local food. Great concept but should NEVER EVER be more that $50 maximum. Very sour taste in my mouth.

Great cause, great food, great sound, uttlerly forgettable concert experience.After having attended Riot Fest in Toronto the week before, where "old" bands like Iggy and the Stooges and The Replacements didn't pretend they mattered but played like they did, Greenbelt was a HUGE disappointment. Uninspired performances delivered to "picnicers" - floppy hats, lawn chairs, coolers. I paid $300 for 2 tickets because Neil Young and Crazy Horse were on the bill. They cancelled, so I got $85 refunded and a sad afternoon in Dundas. Only the Arkells and Harlan Pepper played like they meant it. The artisanal sausage and kale salad were good though. Yawn. Never again.

Great artists, shows, food and setting - altogether a brilliant day! Kinda missed Neil Young though...