Concert - Peggers Banquet, April 5, 2012 - WECC

Peggers Banquet are a Rolling Stones tribute group, put together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stones.

The show was sold out (around 400 people) and in the days leading up to it, people were frantically trying to score tickets through Facebook friends, etc.  Having a small but packed venue added to the excitement.  I suppose they could have moved the gig to someplace larger, like the Garrick Theatre, but I don't think they would have sold several hundred tickets, thus likely playing to a mostly empty room.  For this show, the West End Cultural Centre was ideal.

Before the band took to the stage, a large box with the words "Happy 50th" was placed in the center, in front of the drum kit.  The familiar meaty chords of Jumpin' Jack Flash rang about and the band members then strolled on stage, with most of the lead guitar playing being performed by Matt Thiessen (Ron Wood.)  Moments later, singer Corey Bellhouse burst out of the box,  which surprised the crowd.  He was clearly playing up his resemblance to Mick Jagger by strutting around, lips pouting, wearing the first of a few skin-tight outfits.

Some of the songs played included Gimme Shelter, Shattered, Beast of Burden, Honky Tonk Women, Let's Spend The Night Together, Emotional Rescue, as well as some newer ones like Undercover and Mixed Emotions.

Openers Sister Love, a trio who performed a Big Star tribute, played to a fairly small crowd. The lead singer played guitar quite well but wasn't quite as clear on vocals. The drummer was the best player in the group. I couldn't tell if the audience actually knew who were Big Star were. The best-known tune they played was the theme to That 70's Show, In The Street.