Churchill Park Music Festival Night One – From Haywire to Def Leppard: An Electric Start to a Legendary Weekend

I know, I know — this review is way later than usual. The festival wrapped up on July 29th, and I had every intention of posting my night-by-night coverage right after. But life had other plans. On August 5th, my town was evacuated due to the wildfires here in Newfoundland ( , and writing music reviews instantly took a back seat to… well, survival. It’s only now, after finally returning home this past Saturday and letting some of that stress lift, that I feel ready to sit down and relive what was truly an incredible kick-off to Churchill Park Music Festival 2025.

Haywire: Lighting the Spark

Haywire opened the festival with a set full of energy and classic Canadian rock vibes. Starting off with “Bud the Spud,” by Stompin’ Tom Connors before they came on stage it was clear they were ready to get the crowd moving. I loved the nostalgic nod to Canadian music history — it felt like a warm welcome to the night.

As the set rolled on with songs like “Get Back,” “Standin’ in Line,” and “The Worst Part,” the energy stayed high. The band’s mix of rock staples and fan favourites like “Dance Desire” and “Bad Bad Boy” had the crowd singing along and dancing without missing a beat. I was especially hooked when they played “Fire” — the perfect fiery anthem to kick off a festival night.

Haywire’s performance was tight and infectious. They know how to get people pumped up, and their set was a fantastic way to start the evening.

Honeymoon Suite: Nostalgic Rock Perfection

Next up was Honeymoon Suite, and they did not disappoint. Opening with “Say You Don't Know Me” and moving through hits like “Find What You're Looking For,” “Feel It Again,” and “Love Changes Everything,” the band brought back the perfect blend of ‘80s rock nostalgia with a fresh, vibrant energy.

I was totally into “New Girl Now,” a song that always gets the crowd singing at full volume. Their set was tight and polished — you could tell these musicians still love every second of performing their classic hits. The crowd was clearly feeling it too, singing along to every chorus with huge smiles.

Sam Roberts Band: My Absolute Favourite Steals the Show

Now, this was the moment I’d been waiting for — Sam Roberts Band. Opening with “Where Have All the Good People Gone?” I immediately lost my head because this song is one of my all-time favourites. The energy was electric, and they kept it rolling with “Afterlife” and “Detroit ’67.”

When they played “We're All in This Together,” I completely lost my mind again. This band has such a knack for crafting anthems that feel personal and communal all at once. Every song was a hit for me, but I have to say “Bridge to Nowhere” and “Hard Road” absolutely blew me away live — they’re even better in concert than on the album.

One little sad note: they didn’t play “Picture of Love,” which is one of my absolute favourites. But no complaints because when “Don't Walk Away Eileen” came on, I went completely crazy (apologies to anyone near me who witnessed my screaming fangirl moment). The energy was off the charts, and “Brother Down” wrapped up their set with a bang.

Def Leppard: Rock Royalty Closes the Night

To close out night one, the legendary Def Leppard took the stage, and wow, did they deliver. Starting with the “Gods of War” intro, the crowd was instantly hooked. Their setlist was a perfect mix of classic rock anthems and fan favourites. From “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” to “Rocket” and “Let’s Get Rocked,” it was non-stop energy.

They kept the hits coming with “Foolin’,” “Armageddon It,” and “Animal,” building the night into a classic rock crescendo. I was completely hooked during “Rock of Ages” — it’s impossible not to sing along and feel the power of that song live.

The encore was pure gold — starting with “Hysteria,” one of the most iconic rock songs ever, and then “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” I absolutely lost my mind during that one — it’s a legendary anthem for a reason. They closed the night with “Stand by Me,” giving the crowd a heartfelt farewell to an unforgettable night.

Final Thoughts

Night one of Churchill Park Music Festival was the perfect blend of nostalgia, rock energy, and personal highlights. Haywire and Honeymoon Suite warmed us up with classic Canadian rock and ‘80s nostalgia, but it was the Sam Roberts Band and Def Leppard who truly stole the show. I was beyond lucky to be there to experience it, and even though life threw some unexpected challenges my way afterward, the memories of this incredible night remind me why music matters so much.