MUSIC PREVIEW: Sonic all over the sonic map at Field Day
It’s just a little wish: Sonic 102.9 FM could be, you know, a little “heavier” – ‘cuz we’re a HEAVY town, man – but you have to admit they consistently play the widest variety of the new music, the alternative, the so-called “modern rock,” which is all over the map, sonically. Hence the name.
Some of the station’s latest favourite bands are once again playing at the annual “Field Day” event – happening over two days, Saturday and Sunday, at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. This is Edmonton’s best outdoor venue, hands down. Fight me.
It’s interesting to see how the alternative-hipness pecking order changes from year to year. On top of the bill this year is The Glorious Sons (from Kingston, Ontario, the Tragically Hip’s town) and rightly so. The band, which played warm-up to the Arkells at last year’s Field Day, scored their 2018 No. 1 hit, S.O.S., which stands for “Sawed Off Shotgun,” and then immediately avoided one-hit wonderment by wowing us a second time with this year’s Panic Attack. Hit a nerve there. Two hit wonder. OK, three – when you count Everything Is Alright from 2017. Another great song. They might be onto something here.
Preceding The Glorious Sons on Saturday night will be the dependable Sam Roberts Band – on the cusp between being a Sonic band and a Bear band – along with The Beaches, and you may remember grandson – the angry young man raging against the machine, an early day hit at least year’s Field Day. In smaller print on the poster for Saturday (playing earlier, shorter sets) are The Blue Stones, The Treble, Birds of Bellwoods, and Bad Child.
Sunday’s line-up is no slouch: the hugely popular July Talk is headlining, preceded by PUP, Said the Whale, Hannah Georgas, U.S. Girls, Oshun, and Michael Rault (Son of Lionel).
Two day passes still available, $127.50 advance. No VIPs! Every seat in this venue is a VIP seat.
Thursday 5
Carly Rae Jepsen – Her one song Call Me Maybe falls into that special breed of very popular non-committal love songs that include I Think I Love You (David Cassidy), Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney and Wings) and Not a Love Song (bülow). It’s not much of a legacy, but it’s something. Winspear Centre, 8 pm, tickets from $28
Jom Comyn – This beloved Edmonton singer-songwriter-rocker is a welcome member of the Quirky Male Solo Artists Club (that includes Bahamas and Royal Wood, among others). Jom has a new LP – yes, LP, “long player” on vinyl and everything – called Crawl, and plays the release show at the Buckingham. Opening will be Lab Coast and GIRL/VICES. 8 pm, advance $10
Friday 6
Lex Justice – This guy was in a metal band (Kingdoom), but turns out to have mad irie skillz in his original reggae-rock fusion act he’s been working on for years. He celebrates his 20th year in the business with a show at Festival Place. 7:30 pm, tickets from $25
Saturday 7
Lusitania Lights – Here’s another good Edmonton band that would fit into the Sonic status quo almost perfectly: a winsome folk-pop quartet that also somehow fits into “alternative.” That’s what you call something when you don’t know what to call it. The band Squids opens the show at 9910. 9 pm, $12 advance
Sunday 8
Hayes Carll – This Texan was introduced to a wider Albertan audience thanks to Corb Lund, who featured Carll in a song called Bible on the Dash. Apparently this really works to get you out of trouble on the road in the Bible Belt. They made a video: Stopped by cops. “Y’all are musicians?! What kinda music you boys play?” Why, CHRISTIAN music, sir! “All right then, have a good day.” Carll – in many ways Corb’s kindred spirit in both intelligence and humour – has six of his own acclaimed albums. The latest, What It Is, is shaping up to be a multi-radio-format hit. Starlite Room, 7 pm, $24.50 advance
