By SARA BORRO
staff writer
The World Cup of Hockey is currently underway. The two- week long international tournament is being held in Toronto and will last until Oct. 1.
The tournament consists of eight teams: USA, Canada, North America, Europe, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic.
The World Cup festivities began on Sept. 16 with a Pepsi-sponsored Premiere Party.
The party was a celebration to open the tournament that highlighted the history of the World Cup, showcased all eight teams and featured performances from Hitmen, Scott Jackson, Daya, The Sam Roberts Band and the most anticipated act of the evening, The Killers.
The Premiere Party began at 3:30 p.m. and lasted until 9:30 p.m. Though it was a long time for party goers to remain standing and in one place, the performers did an excellent job of keeping the energy level high and keeping the audience excited and engaged.
Daya, a 17-year-old from Pittsburgh, was the first musical act to come on stage.
She played a short set that included her most popular songs, a collaboration with Billboard No. 1 artist The Chainsmokers, “Don’t Let Me Down,” her name to fame, “Where Do The Good Boys Go” and her current hit single, “Sit Still Look Pretty.”
After Daya left the stage it was The Sam Roberts Band’s turn to impress the growing audience.
This Canadian-based indie-rock band also played a short set that included lead singer and guitarist Sam Roberts leaving the stage and running through the crowd giving out high-fives to audience members.
The last song of both Daya’s and The Sam Roberts Band’s sets were broadcast on live television, which created a very interesting and exciting environment for concert goers.
Also sprinkled throughout the evening’s festivities were performances from other Canadian- based artists, including beatboxer Scott Jackson and entertainment drumline Hitmen. Both of these performers’ sets may have been a bit too long for what audience members were interested in, but they still kept the energy flowing and were something very different not many party goers had seen performed on stage before.
Before The Killers could take the stage, all eight hockey teams participating in the tournament were announced, paraded through the crowd and brought on stage.
For audience members, this was definitely one of the highlights of the night. It was a very awe-inspiring and grounding experience to be in the presence of some of the best and most talented athletes in the world.
After all the players had left the stage, the host for the night, Canadian actor and comedian, Jay Baruchel (“This Is The End” 2013), announced the act that audience members had been most eagerly awaiting, The Killers.
The Killers are a Las Vegas alternative rock band that, since forming in 2001, has released four full-length studio albums, as well as a live album and a greatest hits album.
The band consists of front man and keyboardist Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning on lead guitar, drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. and Mark Stoermer on bass and rhythm guitar.
The Killers graced the stage in Toronto at 8:30 p.m. and because the first two songs of their 45-minute set were broadcast on live television, the band opened with the two tracks they usually close their sets with: “When We Were Young” and one of the most popular songs of this generation, “Mr. Brightside.”
The remainder of The Killers’ set consisted of their other most popular tracks from each of their four albums, including “Somebody Told Me,” “Spaceman” and “All These Things That I Have Done.”
The band also played a Creedence Clearwater Revival cover of “Bad Moon Rising” and what was undoubtedly the most beautiful three minutes of the evening, a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”
It was obvious that Flowers wanted to put on a performance focused strictly around his music, and in a style very similar to that of fellow Las Vegas born artist, Brendon Urie, did not speak to the audience very much throughout the set.
However, what he lacked in conversation and connection- making with the audience, Flowers made up for by putting on an extremely high-energy and exciting concert.
From the breathtaking light show to the immense amount of talent on the stage, The Killers created an experience anyone present was very lucky to be a part of.
Overall, the World Cup of Hockey Premiere Party was a very special night and something unlike many audience members had been a part of before.
This evening is certainly something that no one in attendance will ever be able to forget.
To get a schedule of the World Cup of Hockey game times, head over to www.nhl.com or catch the tournament for the next two weeks on ESPN and ESPN2.
SARA BORRO
[email protected]
