MUSIC PREVIEW: Young the Giant loved for both ‘Body’ and mind
This is what music freaks live for: A new rock band that shows way more depth than the over-saturated radio hit that brought them to the mainstream to begin with. Imagine!
Young the Giant is such a band. These Californians made a splash in 2011 with the fairly straight-ahead rocker My Body – which hit No. 1 in Canada. It’s why they’re playing the Jubilee Auditorium on Friday. They might’ve been banished to one-hit wonderment if they hadn’t since released a steady stream of engaging songs that all did well on the alternative charts, while displaying an amazing diversity of styles, talent and above all, soul.
In a pleasant surprise digging into deep cuts, Young the Giant shows rich roots in R&B with songs that almost approach Maroon 5 – with a much less embarrassing if equally gifted frontman. Singer Sameer Gadhia and his band also veer into folk, and groove, blues, and other music that can’t be classified. In fact like most great modern rock bands, genre be damned. Their latest album is Mirror Master, all over the place and good luck trying to figure out where to rack that.
The band Sure Sure opens the concert at 8 pm, advance tickets from $39.
Thursday 28
Foreigner – While guitarist Mick Jones is technically the only original member of this legendary classic rock band, with member changes so numerous as to require one of those rock ‘n’ roll timelines, the fact remains that this is the only band named “Foreigner” touring at the moment. That counts for something. The band has recently vaulted to latter-day fame due to the Broadway musical based on their music: Jukebox Hero. The real thing, or close enough, plays the River Cree Casino. 8 pm, $70 advance
Brendan Kelly – You gotta love the old punks who stick to their guns. This gritty fixture of the Chicago scene was famous for an on-stage criticism of the precious Warped Tour with his old band Lawrence Arms – whereupon they were banned for life. Even without a band – because he’s playing solo at the Buckingham on this night – Kelly is a rousing singer-performer with a strong presence, and probably a lot of good tales. James Renton, Ben Sir (keep an eye on this act), and Ryan Dix open the show. 8 pm, $15 advance
Friday 1
The Philosopher Kings – A little history here: Canada’s answer to Jamiroquai was a popular act at the old Sidetrack Cafe in the late 1990s, and was led by one Gerald Eaton, who changed his name to Jarvis Church and became a big-time Toronto producer famous for discovering Nelly Furtado. His old soul band (biggest hit: I Am The Man, 1997) hadn’t been active too much, but then as if suddenly releasing, “whoa, it’s been 20 years or close enough?!” came out with a comeback album last year, Return of the Kings, and this band can now be considered classic. That’s why they’re at Casino Yellowhead. 8 pm, tickets from $42
Daniel Romano – Here’s another artist who goes madly off in all directions: from jaunty to dark, and always compelling, this Ontario singer-songwriter and his band are touring on his latest album, Finally Free. Dead Soft, and Bitters opens the show at the Starlite Room. 8 pm, advance from $12.50
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – Here’s some fine ol’ skool rock from Washington, D.C. punk-rock heroes whose vibe is distinctly retro New York style – which is still in style. Again. A solid live set is expected at the Aviary. 8 pm, $25 advance
Melted Mirror – Shades of Nine Inch Nails, and possibly Depeche Mode, can be heard in this live-electronica hybrid from Calgary, doing an album release here in Edmonton at the cozy 9910. Actors, and Physical Copies opens the show. 9 pm, $15 at the door
