The music of Stereo Playground pumped through the speakers and echoed throughout Leipzig. As it was their second last gig as a group, playing at the Leipzig Music Festival the band tried to close the night off on a high note - a pitch-perfect rendition of The Darkeness's, I Believe In A Thing Called Love.
However, with the coaxing of the crowd, the band set the stage for an encore: a hard-core harmony of Sweet Child of Mine, by Guns n' Roses. Fans stayed and danced through the rain till the bitter end, supporting the band, which soon will be down one member.
Stereo Playground will play their last gig with member Kristen Reiniger at Wilkie's Jump Into Summer, Saturday, June 21. The set will be a bittersweet goodbye to one of their lead vocalists, who, after 10 years of being part of the music community in Wilkie, has decided to step away from the scene.
Reiniger loves singing and "her boys," but says, "It is just time for me to move on and try new things."
But not to fret, Stereo Playground fans. The band will still be kicking around but, for now, will play sans female vocals.
Stereo Playground formed in 2010 when Reiniger and Troy Wildeman's old band decided to go their separate ways. The duo has a history of performing in a band together, with a history of 10 years written on their music sheets.
Over the past few years, current members - Justin Vany, four years, lead vocals and guitar; Kristen Reiniger, four years, lead vocals; Troy Wildeman, four years, drums; Warren Kendrick, three and a half years, lead guitar; Jackson Winterhalt, two years, bass guitar - have played their music, covers as well as material they penned. They have played in local and non-local venues including Wilkie, Unity, North Battleford and Saskatoon - the list goes on.
During these years of performing, Stereo Playground has created a sturdy fan base. "The community has been so supportive over the years, and are always excited to hear when we are playing in town. Our families, they are our biggest fans, and it is so great to have them understand the long days and nights that are involved in being part of a band, and the other events we miss along the years too. And for that we are thankful."
The craziest and most fun gig, says Reiniger, would have to put the Wilkie Centennial at the top of the list. "It's pretty cool to look down at hundreds of people watching and dancing to your music. And (seeing) some of the unmentionables that happened on the dance floor," she adds with a laugh.
The craziest thing to happen while playing at a gig occurred at a performance at a bar in which a fan had gone and bought the biggest bra they could find, had people sign it and threw it up on stage for the band. The bra, now hangs on the wall of the band's practice room, except, says Vany, "when Warren wants to feel pretty, he will wear it at practice."
And it's the jokes like that, "the teasing that goes on, off and on stage, and the friendships that we have built," that Reiniger will miss the most. "They are my family and (I) will miss them."
For Reiniger's final show, Stereo Playground will perform together at the adult cabaret at the Saskcan Hall in Wilkie June 21. Doors open at 8 pm, and the dance starts at 9 pm; admission will be charged at the door.
