Radio Hits and Nostalgia Was The Theme For Trans-Canada Highwaymen at London Music Hall

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On Saturday, April 5, the Trans-Canada Highwaymen—a supergroup of notable Canadian music veterans—rocked London’s Music Hall to a rapturous, sold-out crowd. The lineup of Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies), Craig Northey (Odds), Moe Berg (Pursuit of Happiness), and Chris Murphy (Sloan) was an irresistible draw for music lovers. The concert was a journey through a treasure trove of classic pop hits, each artist bringing their own distinct flavor to a shared stage, creating an unforgettable two-hour set filled with nostalgic and uplifting music.

Kicking off with the infectious “It’s All Been Done” from Barenaked Ladies, the quartet immediately established a light-hearted yet electric atmosphere. Alternating between hits from their respective bands and beloved covers of 1970s Canadian pop staples, the evening offered a brilliant mix of familiar songs that had the audience singing and swaying in unison. For many in the crowd, the music of the evening mirrored the soundtrack of their youth—reminiscent of tunes once spun on AM radio stations like CKLW in Windsor, a staple for many Canadians of a certain age.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the show was the sheer versatility of the band. Not only did all four men take turns behind the drum kit, but they also showcased their vocal prowess, each taking the lead on various tracks.

Steven Page was particularly impressive, delivering a heartfelt rendition of “Undun” by The Guess Who. His interpretation of Burton Cummings’ distinctive vocals was one of the night’s standout moments, truly doing justice to the original. Page related the story of having to ask Cummings for permission to perform the song after the rights to play the song live were revoked during the lawsuit Cummings and Bachman launched against the band using the Guess Who name. Cummings was more than happy to give them the right to perform it, a source of pride for Page and his bandmates.

Another highlight came with the band’s take on classic 70’s Canadian pop songs like Lighthouse’s “Pretty Lady”, Pagliaro’s “Lovin’ You Ain’t Easy”, and April Wine’s “Tonight is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love”. The songs are part of a compilation album of classic pop the guys released a couple of years ago called “explosive hits vol.1” and there was teasing of a volume two coming out sometime, but Page admitted they haven’t actually recorded anything yet.

The encore was a celebratory finale, starting with a raucous extended version of Andy Kim’s “Rock Me Gently.” This was followed by Sloan’s “The Rest of My Life,” and closed with Moe Berg’s high-energy performance of “I’m an Adult Now.”

In a time when many crave respite from the stress of daily life, this evening of upbeat, nostalgic music was a welcome escape. The Trans-Canada Highwaymen offered more than just a concert; they provided a joyful celebration of Canadian music history, one that brought smiles to the faces of those who were lucky enough to be there.

Setlist