This show was awesome.

Attendance had to be around 1000, maybe more.

It was the first show I witnessed with the new line-up (sans Dirty Walt and Spacey T), but I was very impressed. They only played ska/reggae tunes, which made sense given it was a ska festival. They also played their version of Date Rape. It was pretty tight.

Unfortunately, Long Beach Short Bus was over an hour late, so Fishbone's set was cut seriously short. However, when the venue turned the lights on to signal the end of the show, the band broke into Party at Ground Zero and played the crap out of it, and kept playing to the crowds delight even after the sound from the main speakers was shut off, just blaring their amps, horns and screaming the lyrics off the stage. I guess that's why they are the best.

Also, I guess Rocky couldn't get across the border, so John McKnight took on the guitar duties for the show. He did a great job considering.

This show with Fishbone was my most memorable. I was really happy they played a ska/funk/reggae set more than a thrasher punk set like I saw once when they played in Victoria at Legends back in 2001. Their set reminded me more of the time when they opened for De La Soul at Centennial Stadium at the University of Victoria in 96 97 or 98 (can't remember which year) but what was better about this time was that people were there to see FISHBONE and not semi-pumped and waiting for another band.

Organizers said the attendance was officially over 1400 people. Tickets were not sold at the door after 11pm because of concerns of overcrowding. Some of my friends were turned away at the door.

Long Beach Shortbus did arrive over 1 hour late but were still able to play around 50 minutes. Fishbone took the stage around 12:30am and played until 2:30am. The lights went on at around 2:15am but they kept playin! I was happy to see them play Party at Ground Zero with the lights on as there were still a fair amount of people in the venue.

Other favourites included Unyielding Conditioning, Ma and Pa, Everyday Sunshine and another song that sounded a lot like a Buju Banton style composition. I really dug when Angelo's voice went into deep dancehall sound:) Date Rape was another favourite. The place went nuts when they played it.

From what I saw and from the people I've spoken to, Fishbone will likely get a warm reception the next time they visit Vancouver Island. People are still talking about the festival show today and probably will never forget this most kick ass performance.

Wicked show! I wasn't sure what to expect as I had seen them in March 2004 at the Commodore in Vancouver & the energy didn't seem to be there anymore. This time round though I was blown away by the energy & performance, it was right back up there with the shows from 10 years ago. The band played amazing, even without a lead guitarist (border troubles).The new line up is one I hope will stick around. Their brilliance & love of the music was confirmed to me by the way they kept playing, firstly after the house lights were turned on, then power to the PA was cut.
Why are this band not the biggest band in the world?