Big Wreck Turned a Sold-Out Show Into One Big Staff Party

There are concerts where the size of the venue doesn’t matter, and then there are nights that remind you exactly why smaller rooms can make live music so special. Big Wreck‘s sold-out performance in Waterloo was one of those nights.The show was presented by Maxwell’s Concerts & Events, and 107.5 Dave Rocks.

The show sold out in just three days, and judging by the lineup stretching around the side of the building when I arrived, there was no shortage of people eager to get inside. With temperatures reaching 22 degrees Celsius that afternoon, it almost felt like the weather had decided to cooperate for one more night before the end of October.

Doors opened at 7 p.m., with Waterloo’s own Sierra Pilot scheduled for 7:45 p.m. and Big Wreck taking the stage at 9 p.m. The Maxwell’s staff were welcoming, and getting inside early meant having some time to check out the merchandise before the room filled up.

Sierra Pilot Gets the Night Started

Opening duties went to Waterloo’s own hard rock outfit Sierra Pilot, led by vocalist and guitarist Taylor Leith. The band played a set of approximately eight or nine songs, drawing from their existing catalogue. I don’t have a confirmed setlist, so rather than guess at individual song titles, it’s worth noting that the band has plenty of material for fans to explore, including their 2023 album Phantom Pains and 2024 EP Karma, along with several more recent singles.

During the set, Leith mentioned that their song “Replicants” had received airplay on SiriusXM Octane, a nice milestone for a band continuing to get its music heard beyond their hometown.

He also let the crowd know that the band would be hanging around the merchandise table after their performance. I took him up on the invitation, picked up a copy of their latest CD and the band signed it. It’s always nice when musicians take the time to meet people, have a conversation and put a face to the music.

Before wrapping up, Leith announced that Sierra Pilot had a new single, “Crownbreaker,” arriving October 30. He gave the audience a little insight into the song’s message, which is about knowing when it’s time to stop waiting and go after what you’ve been working towards. Sometimes you have to take the crown, and sometimes you have to break it.

Sierra Pilot made the most of its hometown opening slot, giving the audience a chance to discover the band before Big Wreck took over the stage.

Big Wreck Takes the Stage

At 9 p.m., it was time for Big Wreck.

The photo pit at Maxwell’s is a tight space, with the barricade sitting close to the stage. With four photographers sharing the area, there wasn’t much room for us to move around. But even in a tight space like that, I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. After shooting the opening three songs, I headed back to the front of house to take in the rest of the performance.

Big Wreck opened with “The Oaf,” followed by “Locomotive” and “Bombs Away.” From there, the set moved through a collection of songs that reminded everyone just how much material this band has built over the years.

Ian Thornley took a moment to acknowledge the room and the intimate setting. He joked about the small stage, making a comment about how great a big stage can be, before letting the audience know how much he appreciated the room they were sharing that night.

“Don’t get me wrong, big stage is incredible, titties too. This, I have to say, this is incredible. Thank you so much.”

It was a funny, unscripted moment, but there was genuine appreciation behind it. Big Wreck has played considerably larger stages, yet Thornley clearly understood what made this particular night special.

He also thanked everyone for coming out on a school night and introduced the musicians on stage, including drummer Brett Haggarty, who was stepping behind the kit for this series of regional dates.

Haggarty had previously been working with the band behind the scenes as their drum tech before stepping into the live role. With Sekou Lumumba no longer part of the touring lineup, there had been plenty of conversation among fans about who would take over the drumming duties. Haggarty’s appearance certainly gave everyone something new to talk about.

The current lineup featured Ian Thornley, Dave McMillan, Chris Caddell and Brett Haggarty.

A Setlist Full of Familiar Favourites and a Few Surprises

The setlist offered plenty for longtime fans, moving between Big Wreck material and songs associated with Thornley’s earlier solo work.

“Come Again” and “So Far So Good” brought those Thornley connections into the evening, while “Inhale” and “Dog With a Gun” added to a set that kept fans engaged throughout.

One of the night’s biggest reactions came with “Wolves.”

You could tell how much this song meant to the people in the room. The reaction was immediate, and the singing from the audience said everything. After the show, fans were still talking about it.

One fan shared that she had been screaming the lyrics and even apologized to those around her. She also mentioned once blowing a car speaker while playing the song. Other fans described hearing “Wolves” live as a treat, with one saying it was the first time she had ever heard it performed at a concert.

That kind of reaction is what makes bringing a particular song back into a setlist so rewarding. It isn’t always about playing the biggest hit. Sometimes it’s about giving longtime fans a song they never expected to hear that night.

Another significant moment came with “Albatross.” Rather than simply launching straight into the familiar opening, Thornley began with an extended slide-guitar introduction that lasted several minutes. It was a beautiful showcase of his playing, gradually building before seamlessly transitioning into the main song.

Thornley’s guitar work has always been a major part of Big Wreck’s identity, and this was one of those moments when you could simply stand back and appreciate the musician at work.

The band also introduced something completely new. “All Our Days Are Numbered” received its first-ever live performance, giving the Waterloo audience an early look at a song that had never been played in front of a crowd before.

Earlier in the evening, Thornley had mentioned that the band was working on a new record. He estimated that it was somewhere between 75 and 80 per cent finished, although he wasn’t ready to put a release date on it.

He also joked that the next song wasn’t from the new record, although perhaps they might sprinkle a little of it into the performance.

For fans waiting for new Big Wreck music, it was an encouraging update.

An Unforgettable Guitar Handoff

As the main set approached its conclusion, “Ghosts” led into “That Song,” which delivered one of the night’s most memorable moments.

During the song, Thornley spotted Paulo Neta side stage and gestured for him to join the band. As Paulo made his way onto the stage, Ian handed him his guitar and continued on vocals. The crowd joined in, singing the entire chorus, but the loudest response came with the words ‘I love that song’ as Paulo took over on guitar.

The moment clearly struck a chord with fans. The reaction afterwards was full of praise, with several commenting on Paulo’s playing and the added sound of three guitars on stage. It was an unexpected highlight and a great example of the kind of moments that make live performances special.

Big Wreck returned for a one-song encore, closing the night with “Blown Wide Open.” It was a fitting end to an evening that gave the Waterloo crowd plenty to talk about.

A Night Worth Remembering

One thing that stood out throughout the evening was how much the audience was enjoying themselves. The reaction to “Wolves,” fans singing and people playing air guitar all added to the energy in the room. One fan’s interpretation of air guitar was particularly entertaining, looking more like a dance routine than anything involving an imaginary instrument.

But that’s part of the fun of a night like this. People weren’t there to stand around quietly. They came to hear songs they love, share the experience with other fans and enjoy a band that continues to deliver.

Big Wreck’s performance at Maxwell’s was a reminder that a great concert doesn’t need an enormous stage or a massive production. Sometimes all you need is a great band, a room full of people who know the songs and musicians who appreciate being there just as much as the audience does.

With a new album taking shape, an unexpected live debut, a beautiful extended introduction to “Albatross” and a few surprises along the way, Big Wreck gave Waterloo plenty to remember.

The three-day sellout was no surprise. The only disappointment was that the night had to end.

A huge thanks to Dave Morris at Cornerman Music for the accreditation.

Big Wreck

Sierra Pilot

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Drew Osborne

I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.