Calgary

Nickelback, Jann Arden headline Alberta flood relief concert

Some of the biggest names in Canadian music are in Calgary for the Alberta Flood Aid concert at McMahon Stadium Thursday night.

Organizers hope to raise more than $2M

Jann Arden performs during the Alberta Flood Aid concert, which is raising money for her hometown of Calgary and other communities hit hard by flooding in June. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)

Some of the biggest names in Canadian music are in Calgary for the Alberta Flood Aid concert at McMahon Stadium Thursday night.

Artists on the bill for the fundraising show include Nickelback, Matthew Good, Corb Lund and Jann Arden.

Performers

  • Nickelback
  • Jann Arden
  • Johnny Reid
  • The Sheepdogs
  • Corb Lund
  • Colin James
  • Tom Cochrane
  • Ian Tyson
  • Matthew Good
  • Randy Bachman
  • The Sadies
  • Loverboy
  • Brent Butt

Organizers expect to raise more than $2 million at the show, which will be hosted by comedian Brent Butt.

More than 30,000 tickets were sold — which organizers say will make the concert the biggest in the city's history.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi kicked off the concert by thanking the many volunteers who helped in the flood cleanup.

"That citizen covered in mud, and mosquito bites, cut and scraped and bruised, saving the home of someone she doesn't even know. Let's hear it for every single volunteer. Thank you all," he told the crowd.

The show started at 6 p.m. MT with a pre-concert beforehand in the parking lot.

All the proceeds go to The Calgary Foundation's Flood Rebuilding Fund. 

Funds have been used so far to support services offered by Inn from the Cold and the Alex Community Health Centre, said foundation official Kerry Longprey.

The foundation has raised more than $4 million, not including the proceeds from the Aug. 4 Halo High Water Concert at the Jubilee Auditorium or tonight's concert.

The money will go to organizations helping out flood victims in many areas affected in southern Alberta, including High River, First Nation communities and Calgary.

A complete tally of the money raised should be available next week, Longprey said.

Tens of thousands of music fans gather at McMahon Stadium for Alberta Flood Aid, a star-studded benefit concert to raise much-needed funds for flood recovery in southern Alberta. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)