Doyle performing at the Yates Theatre on Feb. 25 (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Dori Modney

Alan Doyle’s ‘Rough Side Out’ tour – smooth, audience-engaging entertainment

Feb 26, 2020 | 5:35 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – If you don’t know who Alan Doyle is or where he comes from, chances are you’re not Canadian.

When Doyle travels south of the 49^th, he answers the queries about where he’s from by telling people he’s from north of Maine. If they’re still confused, he tells them, “I’m from Canada’s version of Hawaii!” – Canadians will understand the Newfoundland humour.

Doyle and his five-member band rolled into Lethbridge on Monday with special guest and opening act, Kelly Prescott, to perform before a sold-out crowd at the Yates Centre on Tuesday (Feb 25) night.

The “Rough Side Out” Tour is making its way across Canada for performances that Doyle terms a ‘Kitchen Party’. Those who attended, got what they expected. Doyle brings his party with him and anticipates the audience will take part, which they did, turning what might have been a sedate early week-day evening into an enthusiastic, energy-filled shindig.

The Yates has likely never contained that much hand-clapping, foot stomping and dancing in the aisles – yes, there were people dancing in the aisles.

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If you had been walking past the Yates during the performance, you might have thought there was a rock concert underway, as the exuberance of the performers and the audience reverberated through the walls.

His new single, “We Don’t Wanna Go Home”, typified the audience’s reluctance to let the troubadours end the performance. Doyle entertained the crowd with tunes from his latest collection of releases, as well as previously released material and familiar selections from ‘Great Big Sea’. There were tunes that tugged on the heart strings and referenced Doyle’s Newfoundland background interspersed with bouncy folk-rock and Celtic-country material.

While Doyle is known as the lead singer of the folk-rock band Great Big Sea, he also has significant acting and music writing credits to his name, including work with actor Russell Crowe, which underscores his versatility. Then there is Doyle’s compassionate endeavors.

Before entering the auditorium, there were tables set up to let the audience know about Doyle’s support of the “A Dollar a Day Foundation.” You could donate to support the foundation and one dollar from every ticket sold during the tour will go to support the foundation. All the money is donated to proven Mental Health and Addictions programs across the country.

If you missed the concert, you missed some great entertainment. If you want to help Doyle help the “A Dollar a Day Foundation”, you can get more information on the foundation’s website.