Folk Fest came to a close on July 27, with thousands of Calgarians braving the rain and mud to catch American multi-genre rock band Cake as the final headliners for the 46th annual festival.

The performance at the Calgary Folk Music Festival was the first time that the band had returned to Calgary in a decade-and-a-half, something that was remarked upon by singer John McCrea.

The band led the thousands strong crowd through some of the band’s biggest hits, including a tribute to recently passed metal icon Ozzy Ozzbourne, with Cake’s much loved take on War Pigs.

“You all have beautiful voices,” said McCrea.

The band was introduced on stage by Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who praised the crowds for sticking it out through the weather.

“Temember the Sopranos when Frank Sinatra came on? Remember every time you got the car and you started listening to any of your songs—Going the Distance, and Short Skirt, Long Jacket?”

Mayor Gondek said that she too played Cake’s version of War Pigs on a trip back from Vernon to speak at Folk Fest.

“Everything they do tonight is going to be epic.”

And that was the sentiment of many of the attendees who stayed for the show.