Edmonton People, Places and Things of 2014
Instead of holding a ridiculous contest to determine the Edmontonian of the Year – which is dependent on the determination of the subject and his or her followers to win at all costs, much like a political election – this year we present a straight recap of the most widely read stories on GigCity. Guarantee: […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: More new records than ever!
Do people even get excited about CD release events anymore? No, they do not. Seems like there’s at least two a week around these parts. Apparently now anyone can make a CD on those fancy home contraptions. What a world. You know, back in the day – said the old man yelling at the kids […]
The Local Good wins top award at Yeggies
One does not associate social media with actual sociability, much less the concepts of health and fitness, but judging from the winners named at the Yeggies awards Friday night, stereotypes are meant to be broken. The Local Good – a local website and social media network devoted to green, local and sustainable living – won […]
End of an era: Goodbye, Avenue Theatre
Edmonton music people are deeply bummed over news that the city is about to lose yet another live music venue. The Avenue Theatre will be closing its doors in the middle of June. The word came Thursday from general manager and talent buyer Steve Derpack, who explained on Facebook that it’s “primarily a decision to […]
Local rock band Rend to blow 50 grand wisely
Giving a bunch of musicians 50 grand in cash might sound like a lot, but by the time you’ve rented the tour bus equipped with satellite TV and hired the guy to pick out the brown M&Ms from your catering, there’s barely enough money left for drugs and hookers. It adds up. Seriously, Edmonton rock […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Destroyer will destroy ya
Sometimes the seemingly random nature of tour itineraries result in the statistical improbability of a one night having choices too numerous to fathom. Four, at least. Such is the case when Swollen Members, Zerbin, the Devonian Gardens, and Destroyer all play different Edmonton clubs on Thursday night. Destroyer originally began as a solo project by […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Storm the Bastille!
It’s no surprise that Saturday’s show with Bastille at the Union Hall sold out moments after its announcement. The band was named as the “British Breakthrough Act” at the 2014 Brit Awards and won’t be playing nightclubs much longer. Originally started as a solo project by London singer-songwriter Dan Smith, the band is best-known for […]
Local band raises money for Friedreich’s Ataxia
Although Edmonton musician Joel Kleine has a disease that keeps him in wheelchair, he will keep performing and making music as long as he can. “Music is my therapy,” he says, adding that whether he’s on stage, practicing with his band Bombproof the Horses, writing songs or making demos, music helps him forget his disability. […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: There goes The Neighborhood
How fitting that we’re still mired in “Sweater Weather” – since the authors of that hit song, The Neighborhood, play Edmonton’s Union Hall on Saturday night. Formed in 2011, the California band features the vocal talents of Jesse Rutherford, the bright guitar tones of guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, with drummer Brandon Fried. The […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Covering the spread
The best this weekend has to offer is spread out over four nights, so if you have the time and inclination, you can take in a lot of extraordinary live music this weekend, beginning with a release party for Ann Vriend’s new album, and continuing all the way through the renowned talents of James Vincent […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Life beyond The Hip
Paul Langlois joined the Tragically Hip in 1986, just three years after the band’s founding by Gordon Downie and friends, and just one year before their historic debut EP was released. Since then, well, nobody needs an introduction to The Hip, do they? They’ve played in Edmonton at least 25 times since back in the […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Old school vs. new school
There are a surprising number of exceptional options this weekend for being so late in the year, including the Sonic Band of the Month showcase featuring Death By Robot, and a homecoming gig for the beloved Christian Hansen. Interesting, too, is an old school versus new school rap battle. It’s Shaggy at the Union Hall […]
