MUSIC PREVIEW: Bon Iver Voyage!
Bon Iver makes a triumphant return to Festival City on Monday. Although not running amok under an frenzy of hype this time around, the indie folk act fronted and founded by Justin Vernon now has a weighty catalog of material underneath him, and curates his own annual music festival in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Bon Iver’s first album, 2008’s For Emma Forever Ago is perhaps the most critically acclaimed, and spun his first single that did quite well in the indie-folk spheres, Skinny Love. That laid the groundwork and allowed his next two albums, 2011’s eponymous release, and 2016’s 22 A Million, to do very well on the charts, with the latter hitting No. 1 here in Canada during its release. The latter is also perhaps the starkest departure for the band, featuring distinctively more electronic elements, including samples, synths, and effects.
A number of songs on the latter releases have done quite well in sub-scenes as well, counting amongst them Blood Bank, Calgary, Holocene, Beth/Rest, and then off the most recent album, 33 “God.” So while the buzz has perhaps faded, Vernon’s songwriting has matured, is more inclusive yet diverse, and we’re definitely all the better off.
Tickets to the 8:30 pm show at the Jubilee Auditorium are still available through Ticketmaster’s verified resellers, for $99 and up, BUY.
Thursday 24
Fear the Mammoth – This local surf-punk two-piece (Benjamin Stivicic on guitars and vocals; Patrick Santos on drums) is still in its early days, having just formed in 2016, but their live show is already a heavy dose of everything you’d want to see and hear – loud fuzzed-up guitars, frenzied drums, and an energy that feels like a thunderous jet. Dead Friends, Squids, and Machines Like These are also on the bill. Buckingham, 8 pm, $10.
White Hot Lizards – Led by tax accountant Mark Steier and classically trained vocalist Jennifer McFarlane, and with Nathan Woodward (Death By Robot’s bassist) on electric guitar, this burgeoning pool of incredible talent is about to become a force to be reckoned with in the city’s already talent-laden folk rock scene. Haunting overtones and Steier’s punk background cap this heady yet sombre offering. Andrew Tkach (The Gear Sebastian) will also perform. Accent Lounge, 8:30, $10.
Friday 25
Rainmaker Rodeo – The first night of music at this annual St. Albert event casts a weighty shadow with a pair of CanCon superstars – lighting the patio lanterns with Kim Mitchell, also with Winnipeg-born rock artist Bif Naked, and local legends Captain Tractor. 7 pm, $35. BUY
Darby Mills and Stephanie Harpe – An intriguing gig featuring two incredibly talented rockers. Mills fronted the Headpins from 1981-1986, and then returned to the band and performed with them up until 2016. Harpe is a multi-talented individual, who is not only a powerful singer and songwriter, but also an experienced actress and a casting agent as well. Century Casino, 8 pm, $42. BUY
Pictureplane – Brooklyn electronic artist Travis Egedy, who performs under the “Pictureplane” moniker, continues touring to promote his seventh album, 2015’s Technomancer. Egedy actually got his start in Denver, originally performing as part of the hip hop group Thinking In Circles; his current sound is more in the house realms, with dark-occult themes – “witch house”, as he jokingly referred to it once. Hood Joplin, Sorsari, and Lady CC are also on the bill. 9910, 9 pm, $15. BUY
Saturday 26
Rainmaker Rodeo – The musical escapades continue in St. Albert with a night dedicated to Canadian country stars. The bill includes double Juno winner James Barker Band, whose 2017 song Chills hit No. 1 on the Canadian country charts; also Dan Davidson of Tupelo Honey fame, and Ottawa’s River Town Saints. 7 pm, $40. BUY
Senses Fail – This American post-hardcore band from New Jersey has gone through a cavalcade of member churns since its founding in 2002, with only lead singer James “Buddy” Nielsen still involved in the act. The band released their seventh studio album, If There Is Light It Will Find You, in February. Sharptooth and Point Place are also on the bill. Starlite Room, 7 pm, $23. BUY
Gareth Emery – This British producer has released a trio of electronic-dance albums, spanning 2010’s Northern Lights through 2016’s 100 Reasons to Live. Perhaps better known for controversially dissing DJ Mag’s “Top 50 DJs Of the Year” in 2013, he has recorded under a number of other names over the years, including GTR, Rue De Gar, and Runaway. Union Hall, 9 pm, $25. BUY
Sunday 27
May Music Fest – Headlined by local grunge/pop rocker Marlaena Moore, a number of other local up-and-coming performers will also be featured. Festival Place Patio in Sherwood Park, 1-3 pm, FREE.
