Keith Urban set to rock Tim Hortons Field

Hamilton has gone country for the biggest show in town.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have shelled out $1 million dollars to have Keith Urban, one of the biggest stars in country music christen their brand new stadium, with it’s first open-air concert Saturday night.

There’s a lot on the line for neighbours, city politicians and the Ticats given the chequered history of past concerts on the site.

Many in the neighbourhood are looking forward to the concert including one resident, Tony.

“It’s kind of nice to have something different in town, and I think it brings up the spirits a little bit. It was kind of nice to see the cars, people going by and going to the football game and kinda missed it after being shut down for two years.”

The last event at the old Ivor Wynne Stadium was a Tragically Hip concert. Before that, other than half-time shows, you have to go back to 1979 for live music when Rush rocked the neighbourhood.

The most notorious show came four years earlier when Pink Floyd took the stage. Fans camped out on lawns and there were widespread complaints of public drunkenness, lewd behavior and drug use.

Another neighbour, Steve Rebellato is less keen on the Urban concert, but because of the stop-and-go construction being done on the still unfinished stadium.

“With the concert going on it’s going to slow down the completion of the stadium, so we just shake our heads and think why even bother having a concert when the Stadium’s not even built yet, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Whatever the shape of Tim Hortons Field, most will have their eyes glued to the stage.

There’s even some Hamilton talent making a big debut. 19 year-old contest winner Rosyln Witter will sing a duet called “We Were Us” with Urban who hits the stage around 9 p.m.