The Air Canada Centre was packed with 20, 000 students and educators from over 950 schools in the area. Joining them was a star-studded lineup of performers and guest speakers including The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Austin Mahone and Imagine Dragons. Gleestar Darren Criss took over the stage as a co-host along with Canadian TV personalities Aliya-Jasmine Sovani and Scott Willats.

The daylong event didn’t just offer up motivational speeches from people like Martin Luther King III, who exemplified the importance of education or Molly Burke, who spoke out against bullying, but it also kicked off the Year of Education; every year, We Day jumpstarts a year-long fundraising commitment, launched by Free the Children co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger. This year’s goal is to build 200 new schools in Free the Children’s overseas communities. With different campaigns, including a coin drive, cross-Canada road tour, online celebrity challenge and ABC Education Rafiki Friend Chains, the goal to raise $10, 000 to build one new school or school room in a developing country can easily be met with the help of donations.

It wasn’t just the kids in attendance who were inspired; Darren Criss also walked away from the event with the desire to do good.

“It’s somewhere in between completely inspiring and completely frustrating because I’m like, man these kids and these people are doing so much. I am so lazy and I need to get off my butt and do more with my life. But it’s absolutely more inspiring than anything else,” he says. “It’s cool when you see this very concrete example of youth empowerment and people doing things that you hear about, but you see it in real life and you can’t help but be invigorated by this idea that we really can make a difference.”

For Demi, her involvement with Free the Children has made a great impact on her life, as she has “started a new chapter.”

“When I went to Kenya with Free The Children, I did a lot of work with them, and it changed my entire perspective on life and what I want out of it,” she said. “I’m here today not only to thank Free The Children for everything that they’ve done, but also, We Day in particular is such an incredible event because everyone in the audience has done good for their community and that’s inspiring.”

Whether you’re a 10-year-old elementary school student or an award-winning singer and actress, We Day made it clear that everyone can make a lasting change in the world.

And while you couldn’t buy a ticket to We Day to watch the action live (you had to earn your seat through service), you can catch the event broadcast on MTV and Much November 11.

Toronto came, raved, and loved as over 60, 000 neon-clad, glow stick-holding music lovers showed up to say good bye to the super group. After getting pumped up to tunes spun by fellow Swedish DJ Otto Knows, the group’s 10 p.m. curtain call arrived, revealing the three silhouettes of Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso. The band looked miniature on stage, standing behind their DJ booth, surrounded by larger than life speakers and video screens.

“We always ask [the question] are you ready, but we know Toronto that you’re ready.” Axwell yelled over deafening screams. “So we want you to ask us.” A very loud and clear “are you ready?” then echoed through the stadium, as Greyhound began to play.

Their lively instrumentals and bass heavy beats had everyone’s hands in the air as the crowd jumped to the contagious music. But what really contributed to the party atmosphere was the plethora of special effects and visuals that kept concertgoers entertained. The vibrant pyrotechnics, fireworks, billows of smoke and colourful laser lights, kept the party atmosphere going throughout the show.

The set list included recognizable Swedish House Mafia hits like Antidote, Reload, Calling and Clash and their chart-topping songs like One, Miami 2 Ibiza and Don’t You Worry Child. The DJs also took turns playing their own song remixes, including Axwell’s In My Mind and Steve Angello’s Teasing Mr. Charlie during the two-hour show.

While it seemed as though the audience could’ve danced the whole night away, the show came to an end with a lengthy Save the World remix, as giant balloons dropped from the ceiling and streamers blew from the stage, resulting in an over-the-top send off worthy of the influential band.

Article written by Naomi Leanage, as seen on muchmusic.com.

 

What made this Toronto concert unique however was the marriage proposal publicized thanks to lead guitarist James Valentine who brought it to the attention of Adam. One smart and romantic guy decided to pop the question to his girl during “She Will Be Loved” and once she said yes, held up a sign saying well, “She Said Yes”. Pretty cute and a unique place to do so. I loved it!

Here are some pictures from the concert: