WRITTEN BY: KATIE GORDON & MITCHELL JODREY. Photos By: Mitchell Jodrey // THE BOOM AT NOON

On October 22, Blue Rodeo brought their 30th-anniversary celebration of "Five Days in July" to the Scotiabank Centre. The iconic album, a six-time platinum classic, holds a special place in the hearts of fans, and the band didn't disappoint, delivering a performance that showcased the very best of their repertoire.

This marked Blue Rodeo's 15th time gracing the Scotiabank Centre stage, and they kicked off the show with the song, "Five Days in May," setting the tone for the evening. Longtime fans were immediately began singing along to every word, proving the timelessness of their music.

The first surprise of the evening was when Melissa McClelland from the band Whitehorse joined the band on stage for their second song, “Bad Timing.” Throughout the night, she would come and go, adding her touch to the already mesmerizing performance.

The show kept its momentum going playing several big hits like “Cynthia” and “Photograph.”

Keelor's tales of his love life 30 years ago added a personal touch to the evening, as he humorously referred to it as a "romantic disaster."

"Know Where You Go / Tell Me Your Dream" was a captivating acapella performance, with Cuddy, Keelor, and McClelland gathered around a single microphone, showcasing their impeccable harmonies and closing out the end of their first set.

Following the intermission, the band kicked off the second set with the song “Trust Yourself” before playing their 1989 hit “Diamond Mine,” followed by two other singles from the album of the same title. Notably, during "House of Dreams," the Scotiabank Centre was transformed into a sea of cellphone lights, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that perfectly complemented the song.

Keelor shared a story of a past trip to California with an ex-girlfriend. While at the beach, his past love found a sand dollar, picked it up and closed her eyes to make a wish, and upon opening her eyes, exclaimed, “Oh shit, you’re still here,” which inspired Keelor to write the song “Disappear.”

The excitement of the crowd couldn’t be contained when the band started playing "I Can't Hide This Anymore," with fans on the floor rushing the stage, prompting Cuddy to humorously exclaim, "You can now do whatever you want" before immediately ripping into “The Railroad, " a Lee Hazelwood cover and a Blue Rodeo live staple. A live version of their “The Railroad” cover appears on the U.S. edition of the “Palace of Gold” album. Following that performance, the band gave a shoutout to Halifax’s own Bazil Donovan for laying down the bass.

"Till I Am Myself Again" saw Cuddy exploring various corners of the stage, almost directly in front of the barricade, bringing the band closer to their fans. "Hasn't Hit Me Yet" became an unforgettable highlight as Keeler and Cuddy took to the edge of the stage, allowing the crowd to passionately sing the first half of the song — leaving those in the room with chills. Keeler and Cuddy then returned to their respective mic stands to sing the rest of the song. They were almost drowned out by the crowd as they continued to sing along, showcasing the profound connection between Blue Rodeo and their dedicated following.

The band left the stage but returned for an encore, kicking off with "You're Everywhere" from their "Casino" album. The crowd was on their feet, foot-stomping and clapping along as the band jammed at the front of the stage. Cuddy then rushed to the back of the stage, hopped on a piano and immediately went into the band’s breakthrough hit, “Try,” prompting the crowd to once again bring out the cellphone lights and sing along word for word.

The grand finale was none other than "Lost Together," the band's iconic closing song. In near-total darkness, a spotlight shone on Keelor as he sang the words, “Strange and beautiful are the stars tonight…” before McClelland joined in for a verse. The spotlight danced to the drums for the song's iconic fill before returning to Keeler, captivating every soul in the audience. As the final notes echoed through the venue, Keelor graciously thanked McClelland, the audience, and the crew, closing a chapter of a night filled with unforgettable music and cherished memories.

Blue Rodeo's 30th-anniversary celebration of "Five Days in July" in Halifax allowed fans to relive the magic of the beloved album. It was a memorable night, showcasing the timeless appeal of the band's music.