Festival Express 
(Transcontinental 
Pop Festival)
Toronto, Canada
June 27, 1970
 
By Michael Friedman
 
This photo was taken at the first concert of the infamous Festival Express, initially billed as the Transcontinental Pop Festival.  The train stopped for performances at major cities as it crossed Canada.  On board were The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Ian and Sylvia and The Great Speckled Bird, Buddy Guy, Tom Rush, and Delaney and Bonnie.  Friedman says, "I'm not sure, but I think the band playing in the background was The Flying Burrito Brothers." 
 
Written on the bus is a lyric from a Jefferson Airplane song, “We are all outlaws in the eyes of America."  About 2500 protesters crashed the gates claiming price gauging by the promoters even though tickets were just $10.

In the 2003 documentary “Festival Express”, Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead said, "Woodstock was a treat for the audience, but the train was a treat for the performers."