April 20, 2002 - Foundation, Barrie, ON Posted By Craig ...I was by the sound board at the Phoenix and it was loud. Last night we were right up front with earplugs in place and it was still loud!! At one point toward the end of the set, Ian screamed at Charlie the sound guy (a very nice chap we met outside before the show) to give it 'all' to him as it was the last night of the tour. Ian was playing a solo where he seriously de-tuned the guitar...and quite remarkably snapped it back into tune just in time to begin the chorus again. Dave had switched to a bass which had a much more bottom and suddenly much more volume too!! Our clothes were vibrating and flapping on our bodies like a flag on a flagpost! It was great to observe the guys at close range. At one point Ian had a shooter and didn't know what to do with the empty 'test tube' A young lady right up front took it from him. At one point during the Zeppelin song it looked like Ian was going to go crowd surfing himself. He was leaning back hard on the audience who were definitely ready to support him. Brian was interesting to me. We were quite a distance away at the Phoenix and he seemed to keep his head down and of course his hair completely hides him. I didn't think he had much in the way of stage presence. I was much more impressed with him last night. He showed great personality up there. He was laughing alot, showing puzzled looks to Ian if he wasn't quite following something improvised, smiling alot at Forrest and the crew and made funny faces each time he thought he heard Dave singing out of tune a little. He immensely enjoyed Ian's 'Fuck you!' comment directed towards Dave for simply being a New York Rangers fan. Yes, it came up again but as Ian says, Dave brought it upon himself. Forrest seemed to have the best seat in the house, perhaps the only seat in the house! It was chaotic on stage and it was chaotic in front of the stage where we were. It was very hot, I think we all smelled like 'hockey gear' Ian! Forrest looked very relaxed and made alot of eye contact with band and audience. At one point I was looking at him for an extended time and realized he was staring back at me. I smiled and gave him a thumbs up. He broadly smiled back at us. My girlfriend who was totally in love with Dave prior to the show has now declared Forrest as her favorite! I say he was relaxed but that was only until he was surprised by Ian tearing down half the drumkit during The Immigrant Song. His surprised look was quickly replaced by amused laughter! I wished we had stayed to try to say 'hello'. They seem like nice guys. I hope we see them again soon...