'He's amazing': Garth Brooks fans brush off delays, long lines to enjoy the party
Fans leaving the Garth Brooks concert at Commonwealth Stadium Friday night were happy and smiling, despite some logistical issues that delayed the show and frustrated some.
"Amazing energy. He's amazing, I almost cried on one of the songs that he was singing about someone that he cured cancer for them. It was really, really nice," said Evelyn, a young woman in a cowboy hat.
"It was super awesome. Garth performed so amazing, as always, and we had a really good time."
Larry and Lorraine drove about five hours from Eston, Sask. to see the country star at the first of two sold-out Edmonton shows.
"(The show was) fantastic, so glad he came to Canada and so glad he came to Edmonton. He has a heart for people and when he performs his heart is on his sleeve and he really cares about what he does," Lorraine told CTV News Edmonton outside of the stadium.
Brooks started the show late because of "delays on the highway and the park & ride" and reports of some confusion at the stadium surfaced online.
"Know your gate and be prepared for little direction. It’s a gong show here. They’re rusty. Super super rusty," Tweeted Erin Stevenson, a city councillor in Spruce Grove. "The positive? People are being very kind to each other. Genuinely happy."
"You couldn't move at some points. Definitely not COVID friendly, but the merch was long and the beer and lines and stuff was long, but it was worth it," said fan Caitlin after the show. She said she waited about 45 minutes to buy a souvenir.
Others seemed to forget all about the hassles that can come with a big event once the music started.
"All of Edmonton and surrounding areas coming together at once, finally, it's so nice to be out in public again with each other. That was the best part," said a smiling woman named Cassidy as she was leaving.
Brooks also enjoyed himself, saluting the city and the country in a post-show Tweet.
His second show at Commonwealth is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.