MUSIC PREVIEW: Rocketman’s farewell hottest ticket in Edmonton
Sir Elton John rolls into town this weekend in the midst of his three-year, 300-plus date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
At Rogers Place for a two-nighter Friday and Saturday, the legendary Rocketman had a slew of successive hit singles in the 1970s and 1980s, including Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Pinball Wizard, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, and Candle In the Wind, amongst others.
With a bold resilience, he continued to record after that era, and managed to hit the charts on a regular basis, if not rocketing to the top like he did previously. His last studio release, 2016’s Wonderful Crazy Night, came out the same year as the animated movie Sing, which resulted in a whole new generation being exposed to his music – thanks to the song I’m Still Standing, which was featured in the Rocketman musical biopic released this spring.
Elton has an incredible six Grammy Awards and five Brit Awards, and even scored an Academy Award for his work on the original Lion King soundtrack.
His farewell shows in Edmonton will undoubtedly be wonderful crazy nights for his local fans, who will undoubtedly ensure that sun never goes down on this great artist.
Only resale tickets are available for the 7:30 pm shows, starting around $200 and change (BUY Friday, BUY Saturday).
Friday 27
Dave Gunning – This folk-Celtic artist from Nova Scotia has eight East Coast Music awards and two Canadian Folk Music awards to his name, as well as a Juno nomination. The highly-regarded singer-songwriter released his most recent album, Up Against the Sky, in February. The album started out, purposefully, as a collection of demos so he wouldn’t place too much pressure on himself, until a cadre of them coalesced into an album focusing on nature and its elements. The Small Glories open. St. Basil’s Cultural Centre (part of the New Moon folk series), 7:30 pm, $25. BUY
Cancer Bats – Combining a variety of subgenres such as sludge metal, metalcore and hardcore, this four-time nominated Juno band out of Toronto is back to support their 2018 release The Spark That Moves. Single Mothers and Sharptooth support. Starlite Room, 8 pm, $25. BUY
Saturday 28
Breathe Carolina – This Denver-based electronic music duo, whose members once numbered five, have been releasing music since 2007. Now with just David Schmitt and Tommy Cooperman, their biggest song to date was 2011’s Blackout, which charted around the world. Union Hall, 9 pm. Admission is FREE until 10:30 pm, $27 afterwards.
Sunday 29
Dweezil Zappa – This Los Angeles rocker, son of the famed Frank Zappa, has released the odd album of solo material since 1982, but also performed a lot of his dad’s material on stage. Since the elder passed, there’s been a lot of infighting amongst the siblings as to recording and live rights. This tour features the son playing Frank Zappa’s famed 1969 album Hot Rats, and other material. Myer Horowitz Theatre, 8 pm, $55. BUY
Boy & Bear – This Australian indie-folk act has released three albums to date, with their fourth officially out this Friday – Suck On Light. Lead singer David Hosking has finally recovered from some serious health ailments, and much of the new album is about his journey into his somewhat mysterious illness, and subsequent resilience. Stu Larsen opens. Starlite Room, 8 pm, $25. BUY
Monday 30
Amon Amarth – This Swedish death metal band is touring to support their album from the spring of this year, Berserker. Receiving generally positive reviews so far, it is the band’s 11th studio album, and first with drummer Jocke Wallgren. Opening the show will be Arch Enemy, At the Gates, and Grand Magus. Edmonton Convention Centre, 6 pm, $63.20. BUY
