NYE LIVE MUSIC PREVIEW: Which whine pairs well with giddy desperation?
Working musicians look forward to New Year’s Eve as the best payday of the year – yet the gig is fraught with annoyances.
First, you’re playing second fiddle to the event itself; you’re expected to play Auld Lang Syne at midnight; and everything after is a drunken depressing anticlimax. Audience members can be distracted, giddy, desperate.
Now what sort of live music pairs well with that? Rule of thumb: You’re not going to see a lot of introspective indie bands playing songs “from our new album” at New Year’s Eve shows in Edmonton this year. If they are, they’d better pull out their party tunes. They’ll play Auld Lang Syne at midnight, they’ll love it, and suck it up like everyone else. The pay is pretty good, though.
Take your pick (tickets still available for most shows, click the links for info):
Tribute
Bee Gees Gold – Tributes are huge on New Year’s Eve. The musicians are pretending to be someone they’re not, accepting applause for someone else, and the audience pretends they’re seeing the real thing. At the River Cree Casino this night is the world renowned Bee Gees tribute act Bee Gees Gold, in case it’s not clear exactly what you’re going to get. They’re doing two shows in this big tent venue: 7 and 10 pm. Tickets from $30
The NYE Ball with Frank Sinatra – Maybe you prefer drop a bundle and swank it up old school, seeing as we’re about to enter the ‘20s. Close enough for a show featuring Las Vegas Sinatra impersonator Gary Anthony backed by the Million Dollar Dreamers Big Band. At Halley’s Club in West Edmonton Mall, the evening also features a cocktail reception, and a five-course meal. 6 pm, tickets $119
Uptown Funk – Of course there’s a Bruno Mars tribute band; plus there could be more than one if these guys claim to be the No. 1 Bruno Mars tribute band in the world – and here they are to ring in the New Year at Blues on Whyte. 8 pm, tickets from $15
Rock
Prism – Does anyone remember when this Canadian classic rock band used to play Northlands Coliseum? OK, Boomer. Get your ass down to the Century Casino for this blast from the past from the band perhaps best known for a song called Armageddon. Foreshadowing! 9 pm, tickets from $80
The Marvettas – Here we see some of Edmonton’s original indie luminaries – VISSIA, Bad Buddy, The Peddletones, and The Denim Daddies – join forces to give the people what they want: A cover band. More accurately, “Rocked up interpretations” of soul and R&B classics. That’s more like it. Buckingham, 8 pm, tickets $20
Country
Andrea Nixon and Prairie Sunrise – Country dance is a pretty big deal, too – at least at the only live country NYE gig we could find in Edmonton. The city’s own Andrea Nixon entertains with the authentic local band Prairie Sunrise at the Boot Scootin’ Boogie Dance Hall – which still stands (former location of the Wild West) as the most ridiculously-named live music venue in town, and one of the only places that features country music exclusively. Also, country dancing. 6 pm, $61 dinner and dance; $31 dance only.
Rap
Merkules – Also known as “Young Merkules,” this Surrey, B.C. rapper is rising star of Canadian hip hop, bearer of impressive head tattoos and a brand new album. Kryple opens. Union Hall, 8 pm, advance from $44.99 (plus service charges)
Latin
Felizaño Latin New Years Bash – The 10-piece Latin band Rumba Caliente is expected to live up to its name on this evening at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel, also featuring dancers and DJs, presented by E-Town Salsa. Dinner tickets sold out, $60 dance only tickets still available
Ska
Mad Bomber Society – One of Edmonton’s best-loved ska bands has been at it for more than 20 years – and it shows. Black Dog Freehouse, 7 pm, SOLD OUT
Blues
Rooster Davis – This Edmonton keyboardist and singer is said to evoke the New Orleans sound, backed by crack local horn-people Audrey Ochoa and Dave Babcock. Blue Chair Cafe, 8:30 pm, $17 advance
Funk
Klusterfunk – An 11-piece band with a four-piece horn section … and you had us at the name. The band headlines the “Get Up, Get Down, Get Funked” event at Polar Park Brewing, with the opening acts Carter and the Capitals and Disco Porn. 9 pm, $20 advance
Folk
Lionel Rault – Chances are that the beloved CKUA announcer will bring the same taste to his live performance as he does to his radio shows – best in town by far. This guy has been at it for more than 30 years, and plays with a full band at Passport Restobar. $55 tickets include dinner at 6:30 pm, and the show at 10 pm, plus champagne.
Indie
The Bobby Tenderloin Universe – OK, so here’s another country gig where the cool kids congregate at the Empress Ale House – but it’s clear this guy wears his cowboy hat ironically. You can just tell he’s one of these “alt” country fellers. 9 pm, tickets, available at Blackbyrd or the Empress.
Electronic
Wadjit – This Edmonton performer is a hearing aid practitioner by day and an electronic music artist by night – ringing in the New Year at the River City Revival House (Starlite Room) with the opening act Jash and the Winos. Also on stages around the venue will be Opaque, Mangladesh, Space Cadet and Remo De Janiero. 9 pm. FREE ADMISSION
