MUSIC PREVIEW: Never the Shania Twain shall meet
Nobody should care what Shania Twain says about Donald Trump. Ditto Kanye West or Roseanne or any other celebrity. We didn’t buy their records or watch their television shows for their political opinions. That’s what Fox & Friends is for.
(For a highly scientific analysis on how artists can ruin their art by talking too much, see this story.)
This is all the media’s fault, of course. Here’s an idea: To stem the tide of misinformation, the media should be banned from reporting on any celebrity talking about politics – lest they all be merciless lampooned by professional comedians on late night television. Which is already happening. How’s that working out for you?
This is on the public, too: We eat this stuff up. Shania got in hot water because she recently told The Guardian “I would have voted for [Trump] because, even though he was offensive, he seemed honest” – a comment she quickly apologized for. Remember that aside from allegedly being pro-Trump to begin with, the hardcore country audience is very forgiving – and there still beats a heart of country in Shania Twain. Fans haven’t forgotten this. Little can shake their devotion for this Canadian superstar. They’ll give her a standing ovation just for showing up at the gig.
After a long and difficult absence from the spotlight – which included a divorce from her producer-husband Mutt Lange (who made her band sound like Def Leppard), and health issues – Twain is back for a two-nighter at Rogers Place next Wednesday and Thursday, on tour to support her comeback album Now. It was produced in Nashville by a team of top pop producers. Now that’s more like it.
Rising Swiss pop singer Bastian Baker opens the concerts at 8 pm. He’s a friend of the headliner, who lives in Switzerland. Advance tickets from $48 to $260.
Friday 4
Rosie and the Riveters – With their name taken from the iconic poster promoting women working blue collar jobs for the World War effort, this Saskatoon trio is inspired by vintage folk music, marked by sweet three-part harmonies and messages of female empowerment that resonate today. Their latest album is Ms. Behave. Aviary, 7 pm, $20 advance
Stellafox – The Rendezvous Pub isn’t all about metal. This all-local bill is topped by a funky rock quartet whose latest album Circadian Rhythm includes a track called The Other Side – featuring Darkroom’s Jim Gray (read an interview here). The song is about death, no surprise. Life Like Fire, King Ring Nancy, and This Is the Silence opens the show. 9 pm, $15 cover
Saturday 5
Arlo Maverick – If there’s anyone who could be called the king of Edmonton rappers in 2018, it’s this guy. His group Politic Live has been making records since 2003, and active well before that. Lately he’s been experimenting with jazz and various worldbeat grooves, and seems to be cut from the same cloth as artists like K-Os, whom Arlo has opened for. This show at 9910 is called “No Sleep Till Wrexham,” referring to a European tour he’s leaving for soon. Wales has a hip hop scene? Opening the show here will be Mouraine, Oozeela and KRiz. 9 pm. Advance tickets $20
Mariel Buckley – Shades of Neko Case and other celebrated alt-country singers can be found in this Calgary artist – honest, pure and as real as you can get. Her new album is Driving in the Dark, with the release show at the Aviary. Amy van Keeken opens. 8 pm, $20 advance
Monday 7
Nana Mouskouri – Here’s a great early Mothers’ Day present. This singer who can sing in 10 languages has been working and recording steadily since the 1960s. Today, age 83, she tours again on the “Forever Young” tour. Jubilee Auditorium, 7:30 pm, tickets from $20. Did we mention tickets would make a great Mother’s Day gift?
