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Canadian singer-songwriter Tim Hicks continues his 2025 tour, playing his first show of the year at the Wasaga Stars Arena in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. The 45-year-old singer will continue his tour this year, up until September 5, 2025, covering most major cities across Canada. Hicks made his debut in the country music industry in 2012 with his first chart hit, “Get By,” later becoming Canada’s top-selling country single for over 17 weeks. In 2013, Hicks released his debut album, “Throw Down,” which featured the fan favourite “Stronger Beer,” a lighthearted, humorous comparison between Canada and the United States.

Traveling only thirty minutes away from home, I couldn’t wait to attend Tim Hicks‘ performance. Walking through the venue, fans all around were eager for the concert to begin, excitement penetrating the concert hall. Dayna Reid and River Town Saints opened the first show on tour.

The Wasaga Stars Arena’s general admission floor and seats filled quickly as fans from all across the Simcoe County Region arrived in thundering conglomerates that shook the floor, dressed in their best country outfits. As soon as Hicks walked out onto the stage, fans erupted into screaming, clapping, faced filled with complete joy of being in the presence of Tim Hicks. He opened his set with “Shake These Walls,” followed by “Got a Feeling,” before slowing things down with “Slow” from his album “Campfire Troubadour.” Hicks also performed his newest single, “Quits,” live for the first time since it’s release. During “Whiskey Does,” the band included an impressive guitar solo that had the audience spellbound. Hicks closed out the set with the song that launched his career, “Get By.” Just when we thought the show was over, Hicks returned for a three-song encore, performing “Stronger Beer,” “Hell Yeah,” and “What a Song Should Do.” 

River Town Saints, whose members grew up in the “River Towns” around the Ottawa area, were the second openers. The kicked off their set with “Do What You’re Doing Tonight.” The band, known for its Top 10 hit single“Bonfire,” multiple CCMA nominations, CMAO, and Canadian Radio Music Awards, kept the crowd energized with “Light it Up” and then slowed it down with “A Little Bit Goes a Long Way.” Loving the crowd’s energy they kept the party going. River Town Saints engaged the audience with confidence, blending somber songs with upbeat covers such as “Footloose,” “Friday Night,” and more. Closing their set out with their song “Long Time Coming.”

Dayna Reid, a local musician from Elmvale, Ontario, kicked off the show with her song “The Way You Lie.” She also performed at the Calgary Stampede and Boots and Hearts in the summer of 2024. Performing an acapella take on “Thank God I’m a Country Girl” and her deeply personal song, which helped her through a tough time in her life, “This House.” Dayna finished her set with her debut single “She’s Me,” which earned her recognition as iHeartRadio’s Future Star and Stingray Radio’s Trending Track. “She’s Me” also reached the Top 40 on the radio. Dayna was extremely energetic with the crowd and has an amazing powerhouse voice. Fans were excited and cheering her on throughout her entire performance.

Tim’s latest single “Quits” was released in November 2024. The song explores the ups and downs of long-term relationships, emphasizing perseverance rather than giving up. Hicks wrote this song about his wife, Amanda, and their children, elaborating on how challenging it has been to balance touring with family life and how he has missed many of his children’s milestones.

The “Quits”  music video premiered on January 10, 2025.

FULL SETLIST

• Shake These Walls
• Got a Feeling
• Slow
• Calling All Trucks
• Dust and Bone
• No Truck Song
• Dodge Out of Hell
• Quits
• Stompin’ Ground
• Whiskey Does
• Talk to Time
• Get Loud
• Here Comes the Thunder
• One More – Acoustic
• Get By

ENCORES

• Stronger Beer
• Hell Yeah
• What a Song Should Do

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