PREVIEW: Sam Roberts, Grimes top busy fair weekend
Weekend Music Preview: Cats Pandas And A Train Of Musicians
It’s a busy weekend in live. Not only does the Capital Ex get underway (featuring AWOLNATION, USS, and Sam Roberts on Friday and Saturday night), but the Full Flex Express Tour hits town on Friday, featuring the likes of Skrillex, Diplo, and Grimes. And then Saturday night, punk icons Strung Out are in town for a show at the Starlite Room.
Don’t forget, there’s plenty of music to be had all week long at Capital Ex’s Telus Stage – and it doesn’t cost you a single extra time once you’re inside the gates.
Friday
Full Flex Express Tour. This somewhat controversial show was originally supposed to be held in St. Albert, but apparently the authorities over there have something against electronic shows. Go figure. Featuring Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Diplo, Grimes (recently shortlisted for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize), KOAN Sound, Tokimonsta, and Hundred Waters, the artists are whistling their way across the country on a train, playing shows throughout our fair nation. Now at Shaw Conference Centre, 3pm, $75 + service charges.
Teenage Bottlerocket. This Wyoming punk band has just released their newest record, “Freak Out!”, which was released earlier this month on Fat Wreck Chords. The Dopamines, Elway, and The Old Wives open. Avenue Theatre, 7pm, $12.50.
The Stray Cat: Lee Rocker. This weekend’s blast from the past, The Stray Cats were a rockabilly band from New York is perhaps best known for their hits “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town.” Lee Rocker was one of the three founding members, in addition to his childhood friend Brian Setzer. Rocker’s been touring as a top Rockabilly artists for years and has released some acclaimed work on Alligator Records, the venerable blues label . Century Casino, 7pm.
Hot Panda. Now headquartered in Vancouver, this alternative band were residents of our fair city not too long ago. Their newest album, “Go Outside” (Mint Records) was released earlier this week. For more details, see our preview on the show. Pawn Shop, 8pm, $15.
AWOLNATION/USS. Capital Ex’s Telus Stage starts off with a bang, with these two buzz bands, either of which would have been more than acceptable as a headliner for opening night. Click here for more details on other bands playing throughout the week. Capital Ex, 8:30, included with admission.
Saturday
JAR. This Vancouver hard rock band first released an album back in 1998, then went on to sign with Columbia/Sony, and released an album through them until disbanding in 2002. The group’s founders, Garth Allen and Rob Wade, continued in other projects, but always kept thinking about reforming the band. So it is. So it shall be. Pawn Shop, 7pm, $12.
Strung Out. Teenage Bottlerocket’s labelmates, this California punk band was formed back in 1989, and have now released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords. They’ve played on the Warped Tour, and have an intense, unflinching fanbase throughout North America. They were last in town just over a year ago, opening for Face To Face. Now they’re back at the Starlite Room for their own headlining gig. 7pm, $29.25
Sam Roberts. Yet another top headliner playing at Capital Ex this weekend. Local favorite Michael Bernard Fitzgerald opens. Capital Ex, 8:30, included with admission.
What do you think of this year’s fair lineup?
