ROGERS, OEG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, and the NHL just slapped together a free outdoor concert called the ROGERS FESTIVAL AT THE FINAL in Edmonton’s ICE District. When? Friday, June 6, before Game 2 of the 2025 STANLEY CUP FINAL between the EDMONTON OILERS and FLORIDA PANTHERS. The headliners? None other than THE GLORIOUS SONS (you know, those guys who write anthems for millennials having existential crises). But wait—opening the show are Canadian rock dinosaurs TRIUMPH, crawling out of hibernation for their first public gig since 2008. Yep, 2008—back when people still thought Twitter was cool.
THE GLORIOUS SONS will play a full set of their angst-rock bangers to hype up the crowd. But let’s be real—the real spectacle is TRIUMPH dusting off their guitars for a three-song tease, including their ’80s staple “LAY IT ON THE LINE.” Fun fact: That song’s been resurrected as Canada’s unofficial playoff anthem this year, proving classic rock still owns hockey hair energy. Show starts at 3:40 p.m. MT in the Play Alberta Fan Park (gates open at 3 p.m.), and it’s totally free—just flash your LOILTY Rewards QR code. Rogers customers get a fancy VIP zone because, hey, capitalism loves exclusivity.
“We’re thrilled to introduce TRIUMPH to a new generation of fans who probably think Spotify invented music,” said TERRIE TWEDDLE of ROGERS, dripping with corporate enthusiasm. The show’s highlights will air during the STANLEY CUP broadcast on SPORTSNET, CBC, TVA SPORTS (Canada), and TNT, truTV, MAX (U.S.), starting at 5:30 p.m. MT. NHL ENTERTAINMENT’s running the whole shebang.
Now, let’s talk TRIUMPH drama. Their last “performance” was in 2019 at a secret Toronto-area studio gig for like 200 superfans. They played three songs, including “MAGIC POWER” (which basically predicted LED stage lights). That show was stuck in their documentary TRIUMPH: ROCK & ROLL MACHINE (2021)—a must-watch if you love guitar solos and middle-aged men arguing. Fun fact: Guitarist RIK EMMETT quit TRIUMPH in 1988 over “creative differences” (read: they hated each other). He bounced for a solo career, while the band limped on with future BON JOVI guitarist PHIL X for one album before imploding. They didn’t speak for 18 years. Classic rock reunions: where grudges get solved with lawyers and paychecks!
Somehow, TRIUMPH patched things up by 2008 for two festival shows—SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL and ROCKLAHOMA—captured on a DVD that sold approximately 12 copies. Formed in 1975, these Toronto legends sold 15 million albums, cranked out pyro-heavy arena tours, and got inducted into every Canadian Hall of Fame that exists (seriously—check their Wiki). Their legacy? Guitar shreds, laser shows, and proving that even rockstars can hold a grudge longer than your Aunt Linda at Thanksgiving.
So there you go: June 6, folks. Hockey, nostalgia, and maybe a full TRIUMPH reunion tour if they don’t kill each other backstage.
