The red drink cups were flying and the music was pumping as pop/hip hop infusion group, Down With Webster, brought their electrifying energy to the Sanderson Centre on September 30.

The night started with the opening band, Sweet Thing, amping up the crowd with their progressive pop sound. They played a mix of their own songs as well as remixes of other hit songs like Kanye West’s, “Love Lockdown.” Drummer Tyler Kyte was a familiar face to most of the older audience members for his work as a host on the Canadian show, Popular Mechanics for Kids.

“Well, I’ve hit puberty,” Kyte said, in response to what he’s been doing since PMK.
DWW opened the show with “Light the Night,” but made sure to play their hits like “Your Man” and “Whoa is Me.” They even gave their audience a taste of something new by playing the unheard song, “Go Time.”

“This is a band that loves their fans and loves to perform,” says Ralph Spoltore, concert organizer.

DWW hit the stage and showed the love by passing out drink cups to the crowd, taking song requests and inviting anyone in the audience with a “Whoa is Me” t-shirt to join them on stage for a sing-along.

Kennedy Whittan, 13, was one of the lucky few sporting the shirt.

“It was the best feeling ever being on stage. Tyler had his arm around me; I couldn’t believe it,” said Whittan after the show.

An interlude in the show featured a drum solo by band member, Andrew “Marty” Martino. He rocked out to songs by bands like, Rage Against the Machine and Canadian musician, Drake, for a fresh and energetic break. This was a great showcase of musical talent and a highlight for the show.

After the concert, promoters bussed fans to Jackhammers to end the night partying with the band, who showed up to dance, drink and take pictures.

Down With Webster just might be the epitome of a Canadian band—they’ll put on a great show and then have a beer with you afterward.