Thank you, Nanaimo, we could hear you singing all the way to the top balcony! What a monstrously successful sold-out night at the @porttheatrenanaimo last night. The band has attended many shows here, but they've never seen a wilder or more responsive audience in the beloved theatre. The hometown crowd was first to hear Scott's new bass and witness Gogo's latest cosmos-shaking keyboard. Thank you to our star tambourine player from Parksville, Luke McMillan.
Big shout out to Victoria's @the_needful_music_official for opening with passionate, heartfelt songs. Being part of a new band's legacy and transforming a silent stage into a beacon of vibe together - that's special. Go see them wherever they play!
And extra thanks to everyone who provided the mega-buffet celebrating the collision of road life and home life for Canada's number one party band. And double extra thanks to Paul Laine for pulling double duty, singing the Trooper show then heading downtown for a post-show charity event. The energy everyone brings is remarkable, and it all went into making this night one for the books of West Coast rock and roll adventure.
Happy Easter to everyone. May today bring peace, love, and perhaps some rest. The Massive Trooper Touring Machine™ will be at @cowichanpac in Duncan BC on May 22nd! ARRIVE. RAISE A LITTLE HELL. LEAVE.
#trooper #backstage #raisealittlehell #hereforagoodtime #theboysinthebrightwhitesportscar #canrock #canadianclassicrock #gogo #scottbrown #claytonhill #stevecrane #paullaine #paulcloutier #duanechurch #richardchapman #ontheroad
#TBT to another band favourite from last year! "The one that sticks out for me was playing @tasteofedm festival. After having a trying day and a somewhat long and difficult soundcheck, once we hit the stage it rocked! Looking out and seeing people in the streets as far as you could see, with the downtown skyline lit up at night, was quite the spectacle. There were over 10,000 people out that night I was told." ~ Steve Crane
HAPPY 77th BIRTHDAY today to the King of the Strings, Mr. Brian ... William ... Smith! The Master of the Stratocaster is thoroughly enjoying retirement and the fact that he has traded crazy early morning airport shuttle runs and flying all over hell's half acre for daily 3-4 km walks and hot tub soaks (where, when a jet flies over, he gleefully says, "SO HAPPY THAT I'M NOT ON THAT ONE!").
Boating season is almost here and he's looking forward to fishing, prawning and cruising the waters around Penrose Bay. But there's always something that keeps him busy and (mostly) out of trouble, including bonfires, yard work, and the occasional meet up with the McGuires for a walk and coffee.
Here's a favourite pic of Brian with Joanne, wife of 56 years. Retirement looks great on you, Smitty! Sending big love to you, today and always, from your Trooper family!
(Photo courtesy of Keith Clark Photography. Trooper's induction into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Sept 2024. )
Thank you, Niagara Falls, for an absolutely phenomenal sold-out show! You brought 5,000 people ready to dance, sing, and raise hell - not an undanced soul in sight! We were even treated to a rainbow over the Falls and there's not much better than that, but a crowd like you makes it too close to call 🤘😉
Playing this stunning @olgstage at @fallsviewcasino is a real joy. The 4-tier theatre lifts the audience 50 feet above the stage with perfect sight-lines everywhere, backed by one of the finest lighting rigs in the known universe. It's the kind of pro venue and team that makes great shows even better. (Multi dressing rooms with extensive and extravagant snacks are also on the appreciation list.)
Special thanks to long time friends and fellow Hall-of-Famers @glasstiger for their smooth set and sharing the stage on this memorable show.
The Falls themselves remain spectacular, and the town continues gaining momentum as a true rock and roll destination. Early flights and packed shows like this point toward a glorious spring into summer!
The Massive Trooper Touring Machine™ will play @porttheatrenanaimo on April 4th - also sold out well in advance! ARRIVE. RAISE A LITTLE HELL. LEAVE.
#trooper #backstage #raisealittlehell #hereforagoodtime #theboysinthebrightwhitesportscar #canrock #canadianclassicrock #gogo #scottbrown #claytonhill #stevecrane #paullaine #paulcloutier #duanechurch #richardchapman #ontheroad
What a sunshine blast in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! This is where many Canadians come for warmth this time of year, and Trooper embraced it completely. It was touch and go for a bit there with recent news events, but we were delighted to be invited to headline @ohcanadayvallarta , a very special all-day rock festival bringing even more Canadian culture down south. This event is off to becoming the strongest yearly rock festival in the area!
Massive thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, and to Low Key Enterprises and the support of a top selection of Mexican and Canadian musical acts: Peloz NO REVERSE, The Steadies, Las Mamabas, and Bato.
Our entourage arrived on different days, since everyone had their own idea of how much sun time was required. The best part of the trip, in addition to the hours spent in those big, warm, gentle ocean waves before the buffet, was meeting the people who welcome and honour live music no matter what language it's performed in. The warmth of Puerto Vallarta goes way beyond the temperature!
We went from -62C and ice roads in Nunavut for our previous show, to +30C and the ultimate surf in Mexico. Continuing the theme, the Massive Trooper Touring Machine™ will roll up to an impressive waterfall when we head to Fallsview Casino Resort for Friday's show with Glass Tiger.
No matter what and where, Trooper fans are amazing. Thank you all.
#trooper #backstage #raisealittlehell #hereforagoodtime #theboysinthebrightwhitesportscar #canrock #canadianclassicrock #gogo #scottbrown #claytonhill #stevecrane #paullaine #paulcloutier #duanechurch #richardchapman #ontheroad
Please join us in wishing a HUGELY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the ridiculously humble and awesomely talented Steve Crane! Steve and the rest of Trooper are headed to Puerto Vallarta for Sunday's show (still on as of this posting), but we're sending big love and birthday wishes your way first, brother. Hope your day is as awesome and special as you are!
(Photo courtesy of Ray Vella)
What an incredible journey to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut! Huge thanks to our hosts at the Kitikmeot Trade Show and the community as a whole for the heartwarming hospitality, and for the amazing tour of The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS). We got a fascinating crash course in Canadian science and technology - from microplastics and permafrost degradation to micro centrifuges and DNA coding. The North truly is a national treasure in so many ways.
Up here, everyone can walk on water - literally. Your home freezer runs at about -15 degrees, so it's small wonder that Gogo's eyelids froze during a morning walk on the Northwest Passage. That -60C wind chill is something else!
The spirit and strength of Iqaluktuuttiaq and the high Arctic people are remarkable. Everything is flown in, with the big ship from Montreal arriving just once a year during the brief summer window when the Strait opens in the Northwest Passage. The Arctic sunrises are mystical through the fog, and the sunsets are the slowest we've ever witnessed since the sun never climbs super high this time of year.
Trooper is very proud to continue our long-standing tradition of playing Northern communities. Being invited into this culture that sits as the crown on top of our country is an honor we never take lightly. Quana!
Next stop for The Massive Trooper Touring Machine™ is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
ARRIVE. RAISE A LITTLE HELL. LEAVE.
#trooper #backstage #raisealittlehell #hereforagoodtime #theboysinthebrightwhitesportscar #canrock #canadianclassicrock #gogo #scottbrown #claytonhill #stevecrane #paullaine #paulcloutier #duanechurch #richardchapman #ontheroad
@casino_nb was sold out and absolutely rocking last night! The venue has a strict no standing policy, but try telling that to the rock 'n' roll folks of Moncton and surrounding area who were on their feet singing anyway. Thank you to everyone who brought such terrific energy from start to finish!
Teaming up with @kimmitchellband is always something we look forward to. Touring friendships and respect built over decades of shared stages are one of the real perks of The Massive Trooper Touring Machine™. Great crowd, great Canadian rock, great night all around!
Next up: @fallsviewcasino in Niagara Falls ON March 13th. But with our agents fielding a ton of requests for this year, who knows what else is coming!
#trooper #backstage #raisealittlehell #hereforagoodtime #theboysinthebrightwhitesportscar #canrock #canadianclassicrock #gogo #scottbrown #claytonhill #stevecrane #paullaine #paulcloutier #duanechurch #richardchapman #ontheroad
ARRIVE. RAISE A LITTLE HELL. LEAVE.
St. John's, you absolutely brought it! What a way to melt the snow off the roof of the @marybrownscentre . It's been too long since we've been on the beautiful shores of Newfoundland - last time was the George Street festival when Bryan Adams came up and jammed with us for a while. This time we we were joined by the excellent firepower of @streetheartband and @kimmitchellband !
The flight from the Pacific to the Atlantic reminded us just how vast our beautiful country is, but it was worth every minute. The crowd gave us one of the most spectacular "Pretty Lady" lighter moments we've seen in quite a while - absolutely magical. Special shout out to Zane from @schoolofrockyyt for being a total crowd pleaser on his wild guitar🤘🎸
Yes, we're running on four hours of sleep and an early flight, but when you wake up in St. John's with Signal Hill looking gorgeous after heavy snow, and people as friendly and fun as ever, you don't complain. This special land keeps its spirit strong no matter what modern times bring.
The Massive Trooper Touring Machine™ is enroute to Moncton and @casino_nb where we'll join up with Kim Mitchell again, thanks to @eastcoastproductiongroup .
ARRIVE. RAISE A LITTLE HELL. LEAVE.
#trooper #backstage #raisealittlehell #hereforagoodtime #theboysinthebrightwhitesportscar #canrock #canadianclassicrock #gogo #scottbrown #claytonhill #stevecrane #paullaine #paulcloutier #duanechurch #richardchapman #ontheroad #schoolofrock
Another #TBT to one of the many memorable gigs Trooper did for the 50th Anniversary year 😊
"My fave show was the August 1st show- @rockinthefields of Minnedosa. @widemouthmason opened the show with a blistering set, and by the time we hit the stage, it was a perfect outdoor summer concert vibe. The huge crowd was raucous, sang every note and we finished just after the sunset. What a beautiful night that was." ~ Paul Laine
