MUSIC PREVIEW: Rise Against vs. NERDS
If you’re doing punk rock cosplay at the Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo on Friday night, take care not to get into the wrong line – because Rise Against is playing a separate event in the same building.
Could be some healthy cross-over here: Straight-edge hardcore band from Chicago whose very name suggests – nay, demands action. They even have some hits on the radio, surprising given the genre: including Saviour in 2009. This song and others helped put Rise Against on the mainstream map, though their already loyal cult following knows well the depth of their politically-charged punk rock – clean ‘n’ mean, no compromise, no prisoners taken. On the back of their latest album Wolves – three guesses what that’s about – they’re on the “Mourning In Amerika” tour. Opening the show will be the like-minded bands AFI and Anti-Flag.
In the same building (Edmonton Expo Centre) on the same night, meanwhile, stars of Star Trek, Star Wars and other staples of Nerd Canon will be signing autographs. Are the members of Rise Against into Voltron? Does pop culture fandom encompass a straight-edge hardcore band from Chicago? It remains to be seen.
The show is SOLD OUT – but there’s always scalpers, like … ahem, Ticketmaster.
Thursday 20
Eric Bibb – This soulful singer-songwriter … or is he a blues singer? It’s a fine line, trodden on confidently by a guy who’s been feted at folk fests around the world. His latest album is a double, called Global Griot. Arden Theatre, 7:30 pm, tickets $48
Friday 21
Fred Eaglesmith – Speaking of singers always welcome at the Edmonton folk fest, this Ontarian rootsmith has a musical legacy literally as long as your arm – if you listed his 21 albums in 40 point typeface. Pretty impressive, and a helluva heartfelt twang for a Canadian. With Tif Ginn. New Moon Folk Club (St. Basil’s Centre), 7:30 pm, SOLD OUT
Jack Semple – This Saskatoonian guitar God has been here so much, he might as well move here. On this night at Festival Place, Semple plays his album-release show for Can’t Stop This Love. 7:30 pm, $41 advance
F&M – One of our favourites, for sure, a hard-to-define local duo (Rebecca and Ryan Anderson) whose sultry vocals over spooky-smooth arrangements almost perfectly encompass what they’ve called their own music for years: “Baroque-pop.” At the Aviary, the band releases its sixth studio album, Lessons from Losers – on vinyl. Opening the show at 8 pm will be Tanyss Nixi and Mike McDonald. Tickets $10
Saturday 22
Keith Urban – If this guy could clone himself four times, he could have the ultimate country boy band. As it is, the handsome husband of Nicole Kidman is at least a triple threat: Singer, songwriters, guitar whiz, and a heart-full of generically romantic hot-country-in-the-city songs – middle of the road paved with gold – that cause his female fans to melt in their seats. Except they’ll probably all be standing for this show at Rogers Place, just one stop on his “Grafitti U” tour. Opening will be Lindsay Ell. Tickets from $95
Joe Nolan – This local Jack Johnsony chill-folk balladeer describes his latest album, Cry Baby, as a “trip through melancholic madness.” Contradiction in terms or acceptable creative tension? Fans shall be the judge at his release show, at the Branch for Arts and Culture, 9804 Jasper Avenue. 7 pm, $25 advance
Our Good Wolf – Sure are a lot of album release shows this weekend. Here’s the latest: I Guess That’s How It Is, from another eclectic local band that works in the nether regions betwixt alternative rock and folk, featuring the distinctive, haunting vocals of Jordana Hon. With the openers Bailey Nadeen and The Hustle, Sewing Machine Factory, 8 pm, $10 at the door
