MUSIC PREVIEW: Viet Cong on the attack
Calgary’s Viet Cong is quite probably the nation’s biggest buzz band right now, receiving acclaim not only across Canada, but also from some of the biggest blogs south of the border, like Brooklyn Vegan and My Old Kentucky Blog, who have been raving about the band, and including them on their weekly radio show, since […]
Music Preview: Death & Mayhem bookends
The Canadian music scene, and beyond, has been buzzing with frenzied delight ever since it was announced that not only was Death From Above 1979 reuniting, but they would be putting out a new album. That album came out last September, and now the band has set about touring North America, with an Edmonton stop […]
Music Preview – Heroes, old and new
It’s a strangely quiet time of year right now in the music scene, allowing everyone to catch their breath before the frenzy that is spring release time. Heck, even the Starlite Room has zero events going on the entire weekend. Zero. A lot of musicians are probably holed up writing songs for their next […]
Top 10 Edmonton records of 2014
The last year saw an interesting rotation in live music clubs – from the closing of the Avenue Theatre to the opening of the Mercury Room – while the music made by Edmonton bands continued to happily diverge from the mainstream. The 10 albums below demonstrate the best of what local acts have to say […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: 100 Mile House in Charity Whiskey Mixer
As the calendar winds down on 2014, the live scene also starts its inevitable slowdown towards the Christmas season – but not before a number of charitable events, including this weekend’s feature event, the Annual Charity Whiskey Mixer at the Artery Saturday night. First and foremost, the evening includes some incredible musical entertainment. Feature performer […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Grapes of Wrath returns
It is time, once again, to celebrate the return of yet another 1990s Canadian rock band. They mostly come back 20-something years later, mostly. This time it’s storied Vancouver rock act Grapes Of Wrath, playing Edmonton Thursday night. Their release High Road in 2013 was the first in 22 years featuring the band’s original members […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Season of the Indie
The fall touring season continues as both Canadian and American acts try to get in the last few gigs before the cold sets in. Notable touring acts this weekend include a performance by indie folk-rockers The Strumbellas on Thursday night, followed up by Paper Lions on Friday night, who are performing on an extraordinary bill […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Up + Downtown = Festival Time
After the highly acclaimed Ryan Adams (not Bryan Adams) plays the Winspear Centre on Thursday, the biggest gigs of the weekend are part of the city’s final music festival of the year, the Up + Downtown Festival which – you guessed it – includes a vast raft of venues in Edmonton’s downtown area. Arguably the […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Pixies return, done Deal
The busy fall touring season continues, with notable gigs from Winnipeg’s Royal Canoe, Trust (TR/ST) and Swedish death metal act Amon Amarth on tap this weekend, revving up towards the fall’s big music festival, Up + Downtown, which takes place over the Thanksgiving weekend. Pixies are back for a show at the Shaw Conference Centre […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Jimmy Edgar brings Majic to EDM
The soaring popularity of EDM (not to be confused with Edmonton, which is now YEG, OK?) is definitely having a major influence on live gigs in and around town this year. It’s pointless to argue that a DJ is technically not a “live” performer because many, if not all, of the sounds fans hear from […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Mercury (Room) rising
The big news on tap this weekend for Edmonton’s live music scene is the grand opening of a brand new venue. The Mercury Room, located in the Blue Sky Arts Loft building at 10575 114 Street, just North of Oliver Square, is under new ownership with significant renovations both visible and not. Great sightlines and […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Eye on Edmonton
Early September typically brings about what could be described as the eye of the hurricane: A relative calm between the frenzy of the summer music festivals and the cavalcade of autumn tours by both Canadian and international acts. It gets busy. Coming soon will be Big Wreck at Encore on Sept. 19, Lyle Lovett and […]
