MUSIC PREVIEW: Bar raised at Taste of Edmonton
Longtime locals should remember a time when the musical acts they booked at Klondike Days, Taste of Edmonton, The Works, and other summery general interest not-actually-music festivals came off like an afterthought on a low budget. In short, meh …
Times have changed, and the live music bar seems to have been raised for these sorts of events, at least a little bit. Look, for instance, at the cool 2019 line-up for Taste of Edmonton – free entertainment to go with your expensive food on Capital Plaza, just North of the Ledge. The event runs until July 27.
On Thursday, July 18 at 9 pm we get the great Steven Page, former frontman of the Barenaked Ladies who continues to make interesting and creative music on his own. Interesting story, too.
Friday sees the rising Canadian country star named “Tebey,” who’s probably better known as a behind-the-scenes Nashville songwriter and producer than for his own music – which, given that he at least he writes his own material, is likely to be a cut above the usual slurry. Hopefully he saves the best for himself.
Also worth making a special trip downtown will be Five Alarm Funk – a killer Vancouver act that lives up to its name and then some – performing Monday; Hawksley Workman’s been here a lot, but he’s always interesting. He performs on Tuesday. Next Thursday is the Canadian teen dream star Tyler Shaw. And The Northern Pikes – yes, back together again – close it out on Saturday, July 27. All aforementioned headliners go on at 9 pm daily; the rest of the bill is filled with worthy area acts. Too many to name! See the schedule.
Now let’s go to K-Days. Come on, please, please, please?! While technically not free, performances on two stages at Northlands are included with your gate admission. Of note Thursday, July 18 on the South stage is USS – a genre-busting duo that’s always a riot. Friday on the South stage is The Offspring (above), the dependable staple of the mainstream punk rock scene – almost a classic rock band!
Moving to the North “Tim Horton’s Stage” we see a slate of top talent in a venue previously known mainly for puppet shows and such. This year there’s a boffo line-up of classic rock on Saturday with Honeymoon Suite and Streetheart (still rockin in the wake of Kenny Shields’ death), along with “steampunk” rockabilly oddity Punch Drunk Cabaret. And two – two! – top Canadian alternative acts take the South stage on Sunday, Yukon Blonde and Dear Rouge.
Beyond the headliners, the line-ups for both stages are likewise filled with local and Canadian talent. See the schedules (North Stage, South Stage) for details.
Friday 19
Raven Wood Experience – Not to be outdone by Festival City proper, the City of Sherwood Park to our East is presenting its own music festival this weekend. With a lot of acts from Edmonton! Headlining at Broadmoor Lake Park this night will be Captain Tractor, with Shred Kelly, The Royal Foundry, Jordan Hart with Emily Schultz, and Dana Wylie. Saturday, July 20 appears to be folk night, and features The McDades, along with John Wort Hannam, Maria Dunn, Old Jack Tap, Braydon Wollmann, and four youth bands from the Sherwood Park Music organization. 4-11 pm daily, single day passes from $35.
It’s Always Fuzzy – You gotta admit this is a great name for a punk band – this local one playing the release show for its second EP, at the Sewing Machine Factory. Also on the bill are sKiN and Milk Maid. 9 pm, $10 at the door
Saturday 20
Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – It’s a joy to behold a musician who loves what he does as much as Slash. He just loves playing guitar, and has been doing so to his heart’s content with his latest collaborators Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators almost as long as that other band he was with. Now will we get to hear some G N’ R hits at the Edmonton Convention Centre? You can bet on it – along with lots and lots of guitar solos. The band Joyous Wolf will open the show. 6:30 pm, tickets from $63
READ: Review of Guns N’ Roses’ last show in Edmonton, 2017
Forbidden Dimension – This Calgary “horror-rock” band has been spookin’ since 1988, with basic four-on-the-floor rockers that never go out of style, even with the morbid topics that feel a little old hat today. Still lotsa fun for this Alberta nostalgia night at Blakbar. Opening will be Edmonton’s own rockabilly heroes The Confusionaires. Cover at the door.
