Hundreds of thousands of people will be out in Toronto next Wednesday (July 30) to see The Rolling Stones and prove to the world that Toronto is a safe place to visit. But what about the poor people in Alberta who are still living under the stigma of Mad Cow?
As a show of support to both Toronto and Alberta’s beef farmers, the City Of Calgary has secured the right to simulcast Toronto’s SARS concert in the Pengrowth Saddledome. Organizers are hoping that tourists who can’t make it to Toronto for the actual concert will travel to Calgary to watch it on the big screen, and hopefully enjoy a few burgers or a nice juicy steak while they’re there.
The Calgary show will be free, but tickets will be required to get in. Organizers are planning to distribute about 50,000 tickets. The Saddledome only holds 22,000 people, but they’re counting on the fact that most people will only come for select acts rather than sitting through the entire eight hour show.
As for the actual Toronto show, organizers are predicting that ticket sales will plateau at about 430,000. For those that can’t make it to either Toronto or Calgary, it is expected that MuchMusic and CBC will be granted broadcast rights to telecast the entire event. That deal won’t be secured until each band on the bill agrees to participate in the telecast.
In addition to The Rolling Stones, the Molson Canadian Concert For Toronto will feature performances by Justin Timberlake, The Flaming Lips, AC/DC, The Guess Who, Sam Roberts, The Tea Party, Blue Rodeo and many more.
