[Intern-in-residence Dorothy Lee is a young’un who wasn’t around for the Police Picnics. Her assignment was to research and write about the first one. Yes, I gave her an essay project.- AC]
Back in the day, the Police Picnic was like “Oakville’s secret Woodstock.” On August 23rd 1981, around 25,000 to 29,000 people (according to different sources) gathered for the inaugural Police Picnic at The Grove, a sprawling 70-acre farm field located northwest of Trafalgar Road and Highway 5 in Oakville. The show kicked off early on a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon. The lineup featured The Payola$, Nash the Slash, Oingo Boingo, Killing Joke, Iggy Pop, The Specials, and The Go-Gos, with The Police closing out the night as headliners around 11:00 pm during this fantastic all-day event.
According to Oakville Beaver/Inside Halton. com, this all-day concert “more or less defines where New Wave music came from” …
The rise of New Wave music began in the early ’80s, and the Police Picnic serves as a snapshot of that transformation in music history. Punk rock blended with Ska and Pop to create something fresh. Oakville hosted iconic acts like Iggy Pop, the Specials, and the Go-Gos – three groups that still have a major influence on today’s alternative music scene.
Killing Joke had everyone on their feet in the early evening. “The Joke” continues to be recognized as an inspiration for current hardcore bands. This moment marked when New Wave turned heavier and darker.
The Go-Gos took the stage after Iggy Pop; they gained fame by touring in Britain alongside Ska bands. “Their major hit ‘We Got the Beat’ is classic” … and “their fame was just beginning to break when they played Oakville” (Oakville Beaver/Inside Halton. com).
The Oakville Beaver/Inside Halton. com also pointed out that there were 200 Halton Regional Police officers present at the event; meanwhile, clouds of marijuana smoke filled the air throughout the day leading to three arrests. Officers also seized watermelons being sold because they were spiked with liquor.
Keith Dawes, owner of Recordings on Kerr Street (previously Records on Wheels where tickets for Police Picnic were sold), remarked it was a “historical event for Oakville.” Additionally, Oakville Beaver/Inside Halton. com noted that this concert is a “tiny slice of New Wave history” that is “ingrained in the Town of Oakville.” It was both The Grove’s first concert ever and also marked Oakville’s only time hosting an event of such magnitude.
This event kicked off three occasions known as The Police Picnics organized by Gary Topp and Gary Cormier. The second concert took place on Friday August 13th 1982 at CNE Exhibition Stadium; featuring Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Talking Heads, The English Beat, A Flock of Seagulls – once again headlined by The Police. Billboard reported (September 4th 1982) attendance reached approximately 38,824 people. For its third edition on Friday August 5th 1983 at CNE Exhibition Stadium again; Simple Minds , James Brown , Peter Tosh performed along with another headline set from The Police-bringing in roughly 35,000 attendees.
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This event kicked off three occasions known as The Police Picnics organized by Gary Topp and Gary Cormier. The second concert took place on Friday August 13th 1982 at CNE Exhibition Stadium; featuring Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Talking Heads, The English Beat, A Flock of Seagulls – once again headlined by The Police. Billboard reported (September 4th 1982) attendance reached approximately 38,824 people. For its third edition on Friday August 5th 1983 at CNE Exhibition Stadium again; Simple Minds , James Brown , Peter Tosh performed along with another headline set from The Police-bringing in roughly 35,000 attendees.
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