Dreams performs in an undated handout photo courtesy of the band. The double-band tribute group will be in the Hat for a Saturday evening performance during Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede's annual Cars & Guitars event.--Submitted Photo
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
This Saturday, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede is bringing in a tribute for the ages during its annual Cars & Guitars event.
From the Vancouver area, Arrival is a tribute band to ABBA, and Dreams is a tribute band to Fleetwood Mac consisting of the same members, says band member Tracy Masson, who is the Stevie Nicks of Dreams as well as one of the Arrival performers.
“We’ve been together performing for just over 20 years,” said Masson. “It’s been largely the same lineup the whole time, too.”
She explained that it somewhat “just happened” to her to become part of the performance, when she answered an ad looking for a singer more than 20 years ago, for what would become Arrival. When one of the founding members wanted to broaden his horizons into Fleetwood Mac tribute as well, Masson suggested they add an actual drummer and bass player for a full band. And the rest is history.
Those attending the 7 p.m. concert can expect “authentic sound, high energy and full costumes,” said Masson. “We have a really fun interaction onstage with each other and usually the audience really enjoys that aspect.”
For Dreams, she says she really tries to emulate Stevie’s voice for authenticity, and they keep the songs as close to the original as possible, while Arrival is just fun and high energy with a bit of humour thrown in.
“The bottom line is we don’t take each other seriously,” said Masson.
The band has played Medicine Hat before, but they’re looking forward to seeing the city again and playing a new venue, seeing a new side of the region and its people in the process.
“I remember, the highlight of that show, for me, was this gal who brought her Mom to the show,” said Masson. “She sent us a message thanking us so much and said that her Dad had passed away the previous year, and she hadn’t seen her mom smile or be happy until that night she saw us. It was very heartwarming.”
Everyone in the band has more than 30 years of musical experience, says Masson, so those listening can expect a really fun, tightly performed show. Tickets are available online at tickets.mhstampede.com, or at the Stampede office.
